Here's part II

Part II

Three weeks passed. As promised, Myra received extra tuition for Mathematics and her grades improved considerably. She was now regularly scoring “C’s” in tests and as such, she was deemed no longer to be eligible for Mr. Tennant’s discretion. Fail, and her bottom would be bared to receive a dose of the cane, same as everybody else. She allowed herself a smug little smile. Now she had nothing to fear. She had nailed maths so she could now relax. Slovenliness, lack of attention, punctuality, rudeness, disruptive behaviour etc were all subject to the penalty of corporal correction. Myra truly was a model student; her uniform was always immaculate, never failed to attend her lessons on time and her manners were impeccable. Deep down, she, along with her peers craved boundaries, the discipline and the standards that were expected of them. It gave them the focus they needed to succeed and they all knew where they stood. Maybe there was indeed a method to Mr Birch’s madness after all.

Today was Thursday, and that meant a test on English grammar and spelling. Myra sauntered into the examination hall with an air of cool indifference. English was her best subject and she exuded an arrogance that made her peers shoot daggers of hatred towards her. She hadn’t bothered revising in too much detail; just a cursory glance at her notes the night before and that was it. She would ace this test, piece of proverbial.

“Ladies, you may begin. You have one hour”

Thirty pairs of eyes scrutinised their exam papers. Myra had already started to scribble away, as everyone else furrowed their brows and scratched their heads. Half an hour later, Myra theatrically threw down her pen on her desk, and glanced around to see all her peers still writing. Her obvious contempt gave rise to a chuckle, which she did her best to stifle. As she basked in the glow of her own self-satisfaction, she failed to notice Mr Tennant glaring at her through the panes of the hall double doors, hissing angrily through gritted teeth. He bitterly regretted giving her special treatment. Upon reflection, he should have caned her that day, just three or four moderate strokes and announced the extra tuition afterwards. He would still have been easy on her, but would have maintained the status quo with no face lost. Now his leniency and liberalism had given rise to a very cocky little madam that now thought she was superior to everyone else. He had been made to look foolish, especially as far as Mr Birch was concerned. Along with bullying, arrogance, particularly with girls was a trait he absolutely abhorred with a passion. As it was his responsibility to mark the papers, he would be poring over Myra’s submission with the finest of toothcombs.

The exam was over and it was the last session of the day. Myra waltzed out of the hall and slept peacefully that night in her bed with blissful ignorance of the fate that was to befall her on the morrow...



To be continued. . .