high above my head, and making me kneel on the bed, one leg was secured at the knee to the same post, my other leg being left free to kick about.
Miss Birch vanished, and papa arming himself with a formidable rod, elegantly trimmed as usual, began by lecturing me on my fault.
"You impudent girl, I can scarcely believe it of you, Lucille, now you are just upon twelve, but this is the last whipping you will get at my hands, and I promise you it shall be a sound one, and then I'll pack you off to the convent, with instructions to the sisters to be very strict in looking after you."
"Oh! Oh!! Papa," I implored, "Have mercy, don't be so severe, indeed I won't do it again!"
"Hold your tongue, Miss," he said, impatiently, "you always cry before you are hurt, but you shall remember this whipping as long as you live;" giving me a slashing
