The Other Tom Brown's Schooldays 2

By Pueros

(Hist)

Chapter 2 – Introductions

(Northumberland, England, September 1803)

Dr. Strapam, whose Oxford doctorate was in theology, actually ran Soddomhall School very well, sustaining economic soundness and good scholastic accomplishment despite the low fees. He had achieved this by various means. The large number of boys, sent by parents grateful to pay bargain rates for such an academically successful establishment, had brought economies of scale. The Doctor had obtained property that was very cheap to buy, because of its desolate location, and to run because he paid poor remunerations, even by the standards of the time. He also employed comparatively few staff for such a large and complex facility, compensating by utilising pupils to help with chores. However, the low wages had had no affect on the quality of the exclusively residential male staff, many of whom were former pupils, for they had eagerly sought positions here because of the other rewards that were on offer. In fact, Dr. Strapam had been spoiled for choice.

The good Doctor himself was happy not to seek great profits from his enterprise for there were plenty of non-pecuniary riches to keep him more than satisfied. Amongst these was the maintenance of a strict disciplinarian regime in respect of the boys to ensure that they upheld the required standards in their lessons and other work, as well as in appearance and behaviour. Such an atmosphere was very much to his tastes, especially when the prettier of his charges occasionally lapsed and needed appropriate chastisement.

The eighteen teaching staff, excluding the headmaster who only taught as part-time cover, comprised four Housemasters and twelve Form-masters, giving a ratio of 1 teacher to roughly every 36 pupils, so the sizes of the two classes per age-group were large. The eleven ancillary staff were made up of three cooks, two caretaker/handymen, two laundrymen, two groundsmen, a clerk and a physician, who also acted as the part-time Master of Natural Science. The prettiest of the boys would only assist the ancillaries in their work as punishment for they were usually assigned other, more personal, tasks.

Dr. Strapham’s fetishes had encouraged him to introduce certain innovative customs into the school including, despite the cost and his normal thrift, the luxury of providing the standard uniforms, which were unusual for the period. Adding to the expense and rarity was the fact that two sets were issued to every boy and they could each be worn for only one day, before being laundered, because the headmaster insisted on cleanliness, again unusual for the times. Parents had been asked for their children’s measurements before they started so that appropriately sized garments could be secured, in readiness for their arrival, from the vast collection worn by earlier pupils, who had either outgrown them or left the school.

Tom and Christopher had just discovered this particular practice and would soon learn about the others, some much less agreeable, as Flashmale returned from his errand and began to show them the key elements of their new home. First, he told the newcomers that they should not be wearing their bobbled caps at present. They were for special occasions and should therefore be returned to the wardrobe for now. Second, he discussed their dormitory. He suggested that the boys established a rapport with the other 10 years old residents because they were likely to be sharing this room with most of them until 1812. All the boys were responsible for its cleanliness and tidiness, under the direction of the dormleader, already appointed by the Housemaster. All the tools required were located underneath some of the beds. They were also obligated to ensure that social order amongst themselves was maintained. There were punishments for any infractions. Both Tom and Christopher immediately thought of the devices they had seen on the headmaster’s wall.

Flashmale continued by reiterating that they were responsible for making their own beds every night and unmaking them, in the manner already shown, every morning. They would take their blankets and pillowcases to the laundry every Friday evening and collect washed replacements. He advised the boys about the daily change of uniform, informing them that, as they would be allowed to sleep only in their underpants, they should place that day’s attire in the laundry basket, located in their toilet/bathroom, before retiring. The baskets would be taken to the laundry the following morning by two boys, nominated by the dormleader, and they would return with the second sets of clothing, cleaned the previous day. The boys’ shoes should be cleaned by themselves whenever needed for it was essential that the footwear was kept spotless.

“I’ll now show you the other locations in the school that will play an important part in your lives from now on,” declared Flashmale, who proposed to repeat the discourse that he had made to the newcomers who had arrived on time, “so follow me!” The threesome went through the dormitory door into the corridor. “This passageway, and another that runs to the right at right angles at the bottom there,” continued Flashmale, pointing to the right, “represent the accommodation provided for the boys of Phaeton House, now your own. There are four Houses within the school and the others are named ‘Adonis’, ‘Ganymede’ and ‘Narcissus’, all beautiful youths in Greek mythology.” Flashmale paused to see what reaction this latter revelation caused in the latecomers and was happy to detect a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. He recognised the former from their blushing and the latter from their eyes.

“You are expected to take almost as much pride in your House as you do your School;” advised the 18 years old, “each contains about 160 boys and the Houses exist to foster healthy competition amongst us all, both in study and play. Phaethon is made up exclusively of those lads who live here all year and we take particular pleasure in proving to the other, mother-pampered, pupils that our House may be last alphabetically but is first in everything else. You will both be counted on to keep up this proud reputation. There are eight other dormitories within the House, one for each year. They’re all similar to your own with between 15 and 25 boys, depending on the nature of yearly intakes. As well as these, there are, around the corner, the Housemaster’s and Senior Houseboy’s rooms.”

“Who and what is the Senior Houseboy?” interrupted Christopher. “This year, I am,” Flashmale proudly answered, “I am responsible, under the direction of the Housemaster, for the efficient running of the House. I am also School Headboy.” He did not tell the 10 years olds that he had obtained the posts for the next three terms because he had been one of the favourite bed companions of both the Headmaster and the Housemaster for a lot of the time he had been at Soddomhall. At 18 years, the handsome dark-haired, brown-eyed youth still served both men, even the former who usually preferred younger boys. His face and body had maintained their lovely smooth boyish looks, the latter helped by supplementing the daily shaving of his chin with similar attention to his armpits and genitalia. The rest of the young man’s torso would remain naturally smooth for several more years.

“You will therefore call me ‘Sir’, as is custom, when you address me,” announced Flashmale, “as you have to do to the ancillary staff and Boyprefects. The latter, of whom there are traditionally nine per House, selected from the final year, help each Senior Houseboy by keeping an eye on a dormitory each. I shall introduce you to your own dorm’s Prefect later. The teaching staff you will call ‘Headmaster’, ‘Housemaster’ or ‘Form-master’, depending on their positions.” “Sorry, sir,” said Christopher respectfully, not wanting to cause offence to such an important person. “You’re excused your mistake on this occasion,” replied Flashmale, “I anticipate them from new boys but you must learn to correct them quickly because, once you’ve been told something, you’re expected to remember it and you won’t be forgiven next time. It is one of the reasons why I, and not your Prefect, have personally taken on the task of introducing our House’s new boys to the School. I want you to be well versed in what to expect and do so in order that the traditions of Phaeton will be continued during the year that I am Senior Houseboy.”

The threesome next entered the door directly opposite that of their dormitory. The large room inside was the toilet/bathroom. The big laundry basket, to which the Headboy had referred, was next to the door on the left along with another. A further basket was on the right. The toilet arrangements began with the left wall, which had a urinal channel at its foot. Water streamed constantly from a pipe above into this channel, and ran away down a hole at the far end. It was supplemented nearby by a long line of chamberpots , the contents of which would be emptied down the urinal outlet. Each chamberpot had a clean cloth inside, for an obvious purpose and which were placed in the other leftside laundry basket after use. There were four large stone baths against the right wall, with cheap but effective soap on the surrounds and, on nearby rails, plenty of clean towels, for which the third basket had been provided.

As Flashmale was describing these facilities, he declared “I’m afraid only cold water, for the Headmaster believes that a daily cold morning bath helps not only to cleanse a young body but to invigorate it for the tasks ahead!” Both newcomers looked appalled and the Headboy failed to assuage any of their misery by adding “Don’t worry, you’ll become used to it, even at the height of winter when you might have to break the ice to get in! Sometimes far worse are the morning runs for which you’ll only wear your underpants. Unless the Physician excuses you, and you have to be dying for that to happen, or you have authority to perform other tasks, the first thing you’ll do when your arise at 6 o’clock will be to go on a three-mile run on a standard track through the surrounding woods. The Prefects from the four Houses take weeks in turn to stand at different parts of route to make sure no-one cheats by taking shortcuts. If you want to have breakfast, you’ll need to complete it, have your bath, get dressed, pass a Prefect’s inspection and make the schoolhall, all by 7 o’clock. You’re expected to run every day, Christmas and other holidays included, regardless of the weather. The Headmaster believes in keeping boys fit and hardy!”

Tom and Christopher remained aghast but said nothing. Flashmale recognised their horror for he had felt the same when he had first been told these requirements eight years previously. Since then, he had made the run almost 3000 times for he had rarely been excused, even after a severe beating or spending the night with the Headmaster, both of which sometimes occurred simultaneously. He remembered several times when his bum had been so sore and bloodied that he had been forced to run without underpants, much to the amusement of others. On one of these occasions, he had had to run naked through a blizzard although, to avoid hypothermia, the route was considerably shortened for all participants, a rare exception to the rule that the full distance had to be completed. The Headboy, whilst looking at the two newcomers, was also thinking that the 10 years olds could now look forward to plenty of these sort of pleasures over the forthcoming years.

“There are three toilet/bathrooms like this within the House,” continued Flashmale, “each shared by three dormitories. Yours is also used by the 13 and 16 years olds. You will notice how spotlessly clean it is. It is the responsibility of the youngest age-group to keep it that way. Now let’s progress to the schoolhall.”

The Headboy led the newcomers along another myriad of cold unwelcoming corridors and stairwells, still quiet at this time of day because most pupils were at lessons of one kind or another. As they proceeded, both Tom and Christopher wondered whether they would be able to find their way back to the dormitory without a guide. The threesome eventually arrived at the huge hall, in the main body of which were 36 foldable long wooden tables, each with benches against the two long sides. There was a platform at the far end, with a row of twenty seats facing the main body and a lectern in front. “Each dormitory has one table each,” explained Flashmale. “Yours is that one,” he announced, pointing to one of those nearest to the stage. You will come here at 7 o’clock for breakfast, always porridge, at 12 o’clock for your midday meal, always bread and cheese, and at 6 o’clock for your evening meal, always stew. Everyone collects and returns their food and cups of water from the hatches in the left wall. The staff eat in more salubrious surroundings and, I’m sure, consume better fare. However, we mustn’t grumble for what we get may be tasteless and monotonous but it’s also filling and seemingly healthy, the diet having been devised by the School Physician in the interests of our welfare!” He neglected to mention the interests of economy and ease of preparation.

“After breakfast every day,” Flashmale continued, “we have assembly. The teaching staff and the Physician will come on stage and sit on the chairs whilst the Headmaster gives us his daily sermon, after which we have to stand to sing some hymns and pray. Music is provided by a small organ to the left of the platform, played by one of the Housemasters. Afterwards, the Headmaster makes some announcements and certain other things go on. You’ll see what these are for yourselves in the morning.” He added, mischievously, “Of course that depends on whether you make it after your first runs!”

The Headboy smiled broadly before progressing with his description of school life by saying “The religious element is much longer on Sundays and other matters are usually curtailed. Excluding the Sabbath, which is reserved for private studies, of one kind or another, you are expected to be in class by 8 o’clock. There are two classes per age group. Phaeton always shares with Narcissus. Let’s go to your classroom now and meet your new Form-master and fellow pupils!”

After another series of passageways and steps, the threesome found themselves in front of another door. The Headboy knocked and waited for a response. “Enter!” shouted a rather annoyed-sounding voice and the 18 years old opened the door. “Excuse, Form-master,” he said, “but, on the Headmaster’s instructions, I have brought the latest new boys to introduce them to you and the class.” Tom and Christopher saw over thirty-five 10 years old heads, located at individual ancient wooden desks in four rows, turn to look at them. However, that was not what intrigued the newcomers at first because the Form-master had a cane poised in the air, its imminent victim a 10 years old bottom bent over the teacher’s desk. The sweet shape was not covered by shorts but only by the skimpy high-sided taut underpants. “Come in; Headboy;” invited the Form-master, adding by way of explanation, not that he owed one to anyone present, “failing to pay attention by looking out of the window. It’s his first time, so I’ll allow the miscreant’s backside some protection from his undergarment whilst I remind him four times to remain focused on the wisdoms that I am imparting about the glories of the Latin language!” As the threesome moved down one of the aisles between the desks, stared at by those sitting at them, they could see that the soon-to-be chastised youngster’s shorts were around his ankles.

The Form-master lowered the tip of the cane to the floor and rested the curved handle against the buttocks it would soon be striking. “I’ll proceed later,” declared the teacher, “but you remain in position, Jones D, for this won’t take long.” The visibly trembling youngster reluctantly maintained his demeaning posture. The handsome Form-master, a fair-haired, blue-eyed 27 years old former pupil, observed the three boys approaching down the aisle. He knew Flashmale well, both from his own time as Headboy, when the then 10 years old was his fag, and from his previous two years as a Form-master in this paradise, for his tastes in boys encompassed most age ranges as long as they were pretty and not hirsute. However, his attention was attracted to the Headboy’s two young companions, who caused an intensification of his erection, originally created by his imminent infliction of the cane across his new boy favourite’s backside and well hidden under the flowing university gown worn by all of the teachers.

Pretty young Jones was completely unaware of his status in the Form-master’s mind for it had not yet been consummated. The blonde, blue-eyed boy thought instead that he was just being picked on as there had been others not paying attention in the long and very boring Latin lesson. However, his imminent chastisement was actually the start of the carefully planned pathway that would inevitably lead to the man’s bed, as the lad would eventually prefer to provide sexual services rather than continue to be a target for frequent public humiliation and infliction of pain. The latter would still occur, especially as the tastes of most of the adults and prefects included such activities, but usually, as reward for his co-operation, only if he had genuinely been negligent or naughty, at least in the eyes of his superiors.

The Form-master had waited patiently for the fortnight since the start of term to strike the beautiful boy, both with the implementation of the previously well-practised scheme and the cane that launched it. He himself had been a victim of the strategy seventeen years previously and was now very happy to be able to perpetuate the tradition. The Form-master had waited two weeks to allow the object of his desires to become acquainted with his new environment and to make sure that neither the Headmaster or Housemaster, or any of the more senior Form-masters, selected him as their first choice from the newcomers. Selection was made according to a strict hierarchical system, with the ancillary staff coming lower down the pecking order. Employees could select more than one favourite, but only after everyone had made their first choices, with teachers generally restricting themselves to boys within their own Houses for convenience, although transfers could be arranged if they particularly fancied an unclaimed lad in another. Chosen boys would become part of the coterie of lads selected from previous years who were regularly required to satisfy their particular overlord’s various desires. They would serve until they became too old, or in some other way unattractive, for the man’s tastes, when they would either be passed on to others or assigned non-sexual tasks. Boys would often be swapped with other staff for variety and supplemented by other non-assigned but pretty specimens. The Form-master was especially happy to have boys from Phaeton House amongst his charges because of their all-year-round availability.

None of the boys ever related any of their experiences to their parents or guardians. They were indoctrinated with the idea that the practices they were forced to endure were normal, which was correct in terms of the beatings but perhaps not in respect of their frequent ferocity and the variety of punishments which often accompanied them. Sex was never mentioned, particularly between generations, in respectable families in Georgian England. Soddomhall School had happily been a paradise for sadistic pederasts for many years and would continue to do so for much longer, especially as it generated many more from the ranks of its pupils. Flashmale and the prefects were a perfect example of this tendency, for they had been deliberately selected from amongst their peers on account of their now fully developed preferences. They were permitted fags, a practice common in most British public schools. Fags were juniors who were required to provide services for the seniors. These included such activities as the tidying of the seniors’ rooms, making their beds, organisation of their laundry, shoe cleaning and maintaining their coal fires. At Soddomhall, the youngster’s services were much more comprehensive.

Flashmale was pleased that he had patiently left his choice of new fag until the belated appearance of Brown and West, despite the temptations provided by the many very beautiful boys within the latest House intake, for the latest arrivals were even lovelier. He had satisfied himself instead with a pretty 11 years old, now well-versed in the full range of fagging duties for he had been the previous Headboy’s selection. However, Flashmale preferred even younger fresher boys. He knew that the two newcomers were bound to be selected by one of the adults, one possibly by the Headmaster for he had recognised the man’s lecherous attraction to them. However, that did not matter as staff favourites were still allowed to be fags as long as priority was given to the needs of the adults and it was accepted that the taking away of the boys’ virginity was exclusively their reserve. The Headboy now hoped that Dr. Strapham would permit him two fags and that the duo would subsequently acquiesce to including three-in-a-bed within their range of duties.

As Flashmale contemplated this, the Form-master had given himself over to the same thoughts, especially when his eyes drifted slowly downwards from the two boys’ faces to the little bulges in their tight shorts. Nevertheless, as the threesome arrived at the head of the class, the man somehow composed himself, informed the newcomers that he was Mr. Younglove and asked the lads for their own names. The boys replied “Brown, Form-master” and “West, Form-master”, respectively remembering the Headboy’s instruction about how to address staff. “Welcome to form 1b” the teacher said pleasantly; “now turn round so that the rest of the class can see you.” However, his main motivation for this instruction was that he wanted to observe the lad’s rears. “Boys,” he ordered the wider class, “you may tell our new friends what your own names are and what House you’re from.” The 35 young heads now disclosed their own surnames and either Narcissus or Phaeton House, in practised order. Both new boys noticed that there were several Smiths, pairs of Davieses, Mercers and Wrights and another Brown and Jones. These boys had also appended their initials to avoid confusion. Meanwhile, the Form-master’s cock was pressing uncomfortably against the confines of his underwear as he gazed at the magnificent curves of the newcomer’s bottoms, clearly perceived through their tight shorts.

Mr. Younglove had to cough to clear his throat and wipe some sweat from his brow before continuing the introductions. “This miscreant is Jones D,” he informed Brown and West who, as a result, turned again to view of the lad’s delicious backside. “After I have beaten him,” the teacher continued, “I shall require him to stand in the corner for the rest of the lesson. Then, he will stay behind whilst I test him on what he’s learnt. Each wrong answer will be punished by another stroke of the cane. I hope that you new boys will learn from his example when you start in class tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you then but meanwhile the rest of us must press on with the lesson, now involving the declension of the Latin word ‘puer’. Younglove signalled to his former boy favourite that he and the two newcomers were now to go. The man’s penis was craving to press on with the chastisement of Jones D in frustration at recognising the likelihood that both Brown and West were bound to be destined for the beds of men more senior, although he knew that the Housemaster would not yet be one of the candidates. The Form-master contented himself instead with thoughts of the little group of boys from other years that were currently pleasuring him, of the forthcoming delights of breaking any resistance that Jones D might have in joining them and, hopefully, later opportunities to swap some of his catamite collection temporarily for both newcomers.

Once the threesome had exited, they heard the loud noise of wood striking flesh, very familiar to Flashmale but previously unknown to his now scared young companions. It was followed by a loud scream and, eventually, by three more as they progressed down the corridor. The Headboy smiled when he saw the consternation in the new boys’ eyes. He led them to another large hall, which he called the ‘gymnasium’. “This is where you will exercise for an hour every other day except Sundays,” declared Flashmale, “you will find some white shorts in your wardrobes to wear for the purpose.” As he opened one of the entrance double doors, Tom and Christopher saw about forty boys, all aged about 14 and dressed only in tight short shorts, engaged in various hectic activities. Some were climbing ropes suspended from the roof whereas others were ascending and descending wide vertical wooden ladders attached to the walls. Some were jumping in various ways over wooden obstacles, which the two newcomers were later to discover were called ‘horses’. Some were wrestling with each other on mats. Some were simply racing each other around the hall. There were also other activities taking place that the new boys did not immediately recognise but would later learn to perform.

“I told you that the Headmaster liked the pupils to keep fit,” Flashmale reminded the newcomers, “and on the days when your class isn’t here, it’ll be exercising on the playing fields for two hours, regardless of weather, although you may be permitted to wear a little more clothing if conditions are very bad. There is a toilet/bathroom similar to the one you have seen, but much larger, through a door on the far side of the gymnasium where boys are required to change and wash. A similar facility is provided in an out-building for the outdoor activities. Again, cold water only in both!” The Headboy noticed the clear return of the newcomers’ consternation with this latest revelation before smirking and continuing “The word ‘gymnasium’ comes from ancient Greece and sometimes the exercises both in the hall and outside are conducted, for a certain group of elite boys, as they were in the original gymnasia.” “What do you mean, sir?” asked Tom politely. “You’ll find out soon enough” was the mysterious reply.

“Right, where to now?” Flashmale asked himself before providing his own answer with “The Physician’s rooms are nearby but he’s conducting a Natural Sciences class for form 3a and, as you two will be busy tonight, he’s set aside time for your health checks tomorrow. Instead, we’ll go to see the Housemaster who’s with 8b.” “What are we to be busy doing tonight, sir?” enquired Tom and “What does a health check involve, sir?” queried Christopher, as they walked along another corridor, but they both received the same mysterious response as before. Tom experienced a shiver when Flashmale added “By the way, Brown T, I understand that the good Physician is a friend of a friend of your guardian.” The boy knew that his uncle hated him, presumably the reason for him being despatched to this abyss for nine years, and the loathing had become mutual. The thought that his uncle knew someone amongst the staff deeply concerned him.

The threesome eventually came to yet another door and Flashmale again knocked at this one. A stern voice on the other side advised “You may come in” and the Headboy opened the door. The two newcomers were amazed at the sight that was now revealed for two of the thirty-six 17 years olds within were with the teacher at the front of the class, facing towards them and completely naked. They were both very handsome and, with the exception of that on their heads, were completely without hair. They also sported full erections. Tom and Christopher were stunned for they had never seen anything like it.

“I’ve been expecting you, Headboy,” said the Housemaster, “these must be the two new boys. Bring them forward so that I may say hello in the proper manner.” As with form 1b, the newcomers advanced down one of the aisles between desks intrigued by what was on display next to the master in charge of the form, oblivious to the fact that 37 fresh pairs of eyes were feasting on their delicious forms, including the clearly humiliated nudes, whose penile hardness intensified as a result. “We’re discussing reproduction in male mammals,” declared the Housemaster, “and I have volunteered these two, who decided to talk in class without permission, to provide specimens of semen, which of course is essential to the process. The new boys here can help. What are your names?” Tom and Christopher, with no understanding of what the man meant about reproduction, replied sheepishly but in the correct manner. “Welcome Brown T and West,” the Housemaster said whilst carefully appraising the newcomers and deciding that they would make splendid additions to his own little harem in a few years, for they were a little young at present for his tastes. “Well, Brown T, you take the youth on the left and West the one on the right. I presume you both know what a penis is?” The two 10 years olds blushed whilst the rest of the class, except the two nudes, chortled, knowing that, in these circumstances, their teacher, clearly intent on shaming his two favourites for some reason, would allow such a demonstration of amusement.

The Housemaster answered for the embarrassed youngsters “Of course you do, but you probably won’t know what semen is. Well, you’re both going to produce some now!” He gave Tom and Christopher a bowl each and instructed “Hold these at the front of the miscreants’ penises with one hand and start stroking their rigid members, up and down between your thumb and forefinger, with the other. Stand to their sides so that everyone in class can see. Notice how hard, throbbing and verging on the vertical these particular sexual organs are. This is because they are sexually aroused. In nature, this usually happens when the male is in the vicinity of a female so I’m unsure why this has happened to these particular male specimens.” The local giggling increased with this remark. “Carry on with your action until the resultant output stops,” instructed the man, seemingly interested in only the science of the activity, “it shouldn’t take long to show you what semen is or how it’s harvested!”

The Housemaster was right in his assumption for the already shamefully excited 17 years olds soon came as a result of the attentions of the beautiful 10 years olds, and spurted copious amounts of white fluid into the bowls. In fact, so much was ejaculated that the youngsters had great difficulty in collecting the full quantity, some falling on to the floor. Tom and Christopher were shocked at the result of their administrations for they thought that dicks were only used for urinating, although they had wondered why, in certain circumstances, their own became hard, particularly recently. The rest of the form just laughed merrily.

“Thank you, Brown T and West. Look after them Flashmale for I’m sure that they will both be of service to me again in future!” The Headboy knew that they were being dismissed, as well as the fuller implications of the teacher’s phraseology. This actually meant that the Housemaster would want to have little to do with the newcomers for at least four years, by when they would have begun to acquire the physical and mental characteristics he particularly liked. The two newcomers were to be proved sadly incorrect in their own interpretation.

“Now, let us see how long it takes for these particular examples of masculinity to re-perform their reproductive duties,” were the final words heard from the Housemaster as the threesome left the classroom. Flashmale had already asked the teacher the time before departing and, glancing at his pocket-watch, the man had replied “forty-five minutes after four.” “Time for a quick look at the quadrangle before returning you to your dormitory,” announced the Headboy, “for your Form-master has kindly agreed to release his class early so that you can acquaint yourselves with your new room mates for an hour before evening meal.”

Another mystifying walk brought the new boys to the quadrangle, a large courtyard at the centre of the main building. It was mainly grassed but had a path running around its perimeter and another two running cross-like across the middle. However, it was what was located at the middle that terrified the 10 years olds because situated there were four sets of adjustable stocks. Flashmale relished the explanation. “You will have observed,” he advised, “the chastisement that your Form-master and Housemaster were rightfully giving to those who had been naughty. Well, punishments for misbehaviour can take many forms within the school, depending on the mood of the staff or prefects who first become aware of it. It can be private or public and its severity depends upon the offence. Someone who is placed in these stocks has obviously been very bad and their deserved castigation will be observed by most of the school for the windows of many dormitories and staff-rooms are above. Many boys located in outer quarters invade the inner ones to enjoy the spectacle but, if you are really evil, you will be sent to the cellars where……..No, I don’t want to scare you too much on your first day. I’ll tell you about what’s there on some other more appropriate occasion.” However, this compassion, as Flashmale knew only too well, was misdirected for Tom and Christopher were already shivering in fright. The Headboy therefore decided to make their terror worse.

“A few more things to tell you about before I take you back to your dormitory,” Flashmale advised to his horrified charges, “your dormleader likes obedience from his peers. So be prepared! Also it has been the custom in this school for many years that new boys are formally initiated, a tradition that the Headmaster encourages. The initiation is in two forms. First, the new boys race around the perimeter of the quad, with most of the school watching, and the one in last is placed in one of the stocks for caning. He receives the same number of strokes as the years he has lived. The Headboy is given the honour of inflicting the blows. You two missed the initiation of the 62 boys who joined us two weeks ago, so you’ll have to compete against each other to avoid this humiliation.” Tom and Christopher were not only crestfallen but speechless. The smirking Flashmale therefore continued “Second, you have to spend the night, until dawn, in the nearby woods. It is also sanctioned that, all of the time, initiates remain naked!”

(To be continued in Chapter 3 – ‘Initiations’)