Ten minutes later the teacher returned and entered the head’s office only to open the door and invite me in, after her version of events had been explained. There was no opportunity for me to explain myself or to take account of what others had seen, it was, as far as they were concerned a straight forward case of bullying, and what was worse, the bullying of a girl. Whilst the po faced young lady stood with folded arms, I was berated in the usual manner, the headmaster leaving me in no doubt what his opinion was of boys hitting girls and his way of dealing with it. I wasn’t sure if I would get the cane or the slipper, the cane was normally only used at this school for serious matters, however any notions of getting the slipper was soon dispelled as he reached behind his tall cupboard and removed his cane.
The Cane and the Double Standard4
