He went to a press behind his desk, and produced the most wicked-looking cane, flourished it at me, and told me to bring a sort of piano stool from a corner of the room, out into the middle of the office.
My friend and I looked at each other as I went off to obey.
We were both beginning to think the same rather worrying thought, that this was not going to be the hand caning that we were used to.
This was confirmed when the head motioned my pal to stand out of the way and ordered me to lie across the stool.
As I obeyed,I felt the most dreadful feeling of my heart coming into my mouth and thumping like a trip hammer,my stomach sinking to my feet, and my mouth drying up in the most disagreeable manner.