But there was more to it than the normal acceptance of a well-deserved punishment. Billy didn’t really understand why he cried like a baby from the very beginning of a spanking, or why he friend Johnny did as well. He was only grateful that his best friend was like him in that respect.
As both Mrs Wilkins and Belinda had immediately understood, Billy’s babyish crying was part of a larger immaturity which showed itself most overtly within the safe confines of domestic life and especially with Johnny. It was obvious the two boys enjoyed playing and giggling like younger children and that they had a lot in common.