I was concentrating so hard that I didn’t notice any movement by Mrs Seaton, or any sound of the cane. Suddenly, though, my bottom exploded in pain. It wasn’t a line of pain across my bottom. My whole backside was suddenly on fire! I squirmed over the desk, holding on desperately, determined not to earn extra strokes. The awful smart got worse and worse. I still had three to come. Tears were squeezing out of my shut eyes.
This time I heard Mrs Seaton move and tried to tense myself. To no avail. The cane smashed down again, and the awful pain in my rear went to a new level. Cotton underpants were no protection at all against that vicious cane.
I yelled out in agonised protest, trying to let the teacher know how much she was hurting me. She knew.
“Not pleasant, is it Marling? It’s not supposed to be! Two more to come.”
I held on although all my instincts were yelling at me to stand up and hold my poor bum.