During my four years at boarding school there were few Thursdays when the list contained no names at all – although it was exceptional for more than three or four pupils to be on the list.
Most often it was just one or two. Those on the list would form an orderly queue, corresponding to the list order, on the landing seats that separated the Housemother’s rooms from our dormitory.
She would open her door and invite the first (or only) pupil in.
Once inside Housemother’s room, we were asked to slide a small brass bolt across the door for privacy and then stand next to the Housemother as she sat behind a writing desk.