“You boys keep at those dishes if you know what’s good for you,” Mrs. Wilkins called out without even turning toward the kitchen. By now, the two women had advanced far enough into the living room to be able to see into the kitchen. As soon as Belinda saw them, she began giggling. Mrs. Thompkins also took a long look and said,
“Well, Ruthie, it looks like you have two boys who have a spanking coming after dinner. Who’s Johnny’s little pal?”
“That’s Billy Morgan, Johnny’s best friend from school who is staying with us for most of the summer. The boys disobeyed me by coming home an hour and a half late for dinner last night. So I spanked them and put them to bed early and told them they’d be going over my knee again after dinner tonight.”