After the last stroke, she said, “Get out of my sight.” She then told the class that she would check in every week to be sure that we were behaving ourselves. That was the first paddling I witnessed, but it was far from the last. During that school year, an average of about one student a month was paddled in our class. The routine was always the same-a stern admonition to the offender, who then assumed the position on his hands and knees and waited while Mother Frances lectured the class, then eight to twelve hard whacks with the wooden paddle while Mother Frances continued the scolding. About half of the offenders cried.
Catholic School in New England5
