The beating was given late in the afternoon, and I was told I need not go back to my classroom and could go straight home.
I wanted to meet at least some of my companions.
I wanted to tell them that I had been caned.
But there was no one.
I had to go home alone.
Since leaving the headmaster’s room I had felt no pain.
My bottom did not hurt.
It was only when I got onto my bicycle that my bottom suddenly smarted.
It made me angry.
I still remember that anger, and still wonder why the pain generated anger.