There is a time between knowing that you are going to be caned and the actual caning. At my public school, this would often be 36 hours. Then, on the evening itself – beatings were always done during ‘prep’, ie, homework – there was the wait for the summons to the Head Prefect’s study.
I would sit in the ‘dayroom’ with two dozen other boys, and try to learn enough geography to pass the next day’s test. Waiting. And then, yes, footsteps at the far end of the long corridor. An older boy enters, speaks softly to the prefect in charge, and departs. The perfect pauses. There is a suppressed giggle from the boys. My name is called, and I am told to go to the Head Prefect’s study.