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There’s no denying that Storm’s attitude is significantly worse with other people than it is with Jane, and Jane could possibly admit that it is something she needs to address. But for today, simply having Storm in class and somewhat happy feels like a win. She has no intention of allowing Laura’s response to sully that mood.
Neither one of the women notice that the door of the classroom is slightly ajar. And not noticing that, they also do not notice that Storm is standing next to it, pretending to adjust her book.
* * *
“Please don’t spank me! Please! I’ll do anything!”
Melissa has just walked in the door of Jane’s office and is in tears. She is a sweet young woman with auburn red hair in long plaits pinned to her head, bright green eyes, and a smattering of red freckles across her nose. She is still in her deportment uniform, and the overall effect is to make her look absolutely pitiful.
“Storm didn’t get punished, so I don’t see why we would,” Penners says. She is also in her deportment uniform, though being of a taller build and a generally more refined appearance in general, the effect is rather different.
“Storm was paddled. Thoroughly,” Jane informs her.
“Oh, please no!” Melissa melts down again. “I can’t. I simply can’t. I can’t even imagine it. I cannot even begin to think of such a…” She buries her face in her hands, as if looking at Jane is too much.
“Penelope, wait outside please,” Jane says. “I will call you when I am ready for you.”
Penelope leaves the room with something like relief. She has received a stay of execution, as it were. Though now, of course, she will have to wait to see what’s going to happen to her.
“Come here, Melissa.” Jane crooks a finger and indicates for Melissa to stand in front of her desk.
The girl likely knows well enough that this is what happens right before one is caned. Penners and the others have told stories about what goes on in Miss Strict’s office many times.
Melissa is now sobbing, but she obeys, shuffling forward with the most reluctant steps possible to stand before Jane’s desk.
There is a brief moment in which Jane must decide whether or not to go through with some kind of physical punishment or not.
Perhaps Laura’s words linger in her mind. Perhaps she simply decides to show mercy. Either way, her cane is not picked up for this girl.
“Usually, lurking outside my office would earn a girl a caning,” Jane informs the terrified young lady. “But I don’t believe you were entirely aware of the significance of your misbehavior, and I am certain you would not repeat it.”
“Never again!” Melissa gasps. “Absolutely never again. If I never see you again, I will count myself very fortunate. I mean… in this context, ma’am. Not in general. I don’t mean… I…” She trails off in a little whimper.
“You will not go unpunished,” Jane says. “You will stand in the corner, with your nose to the wall for the next fifteen minutes. While you are there, you will not only reflect on your behavior, but on your choice of companions.”
Melissa nods. “Because Storm is a bad influence.”
“I did not say that.”
Melissa looks confused, and Jane realizes she may not have said that, but she does appear to have meant it.
“You must make your own decisions, and not be led by others. Influence is something one allows others to have. It is not an inexorable property exerted by one person over another. You could have chosen to let Penelope and Storm come and get themselves into trouble on their own. Couldn’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Melissa agrees, wiping her tears on the back of her sleeve. “I understand.”
She is beginning to calm down, which pleases Jane. If she is to have occasion to have a second reckoning with Melissa, there will be harsher and much more physical consequences. But this is her first offense, she is showing a great deal of remorse and contrition, and Jane does not beat girls simply for the sake of doing so.
Jane goes to her notepad and makes a quick note before folding it and handing it to Melissa.
“You will write three hundred lines for me, due by tomorrow morning.I must not allow myself to be led into trouble by others.Put that in your pocket so you do not forget.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Melissa says, tucking the paper away.
“And now you can go to the corner. Yes. That one,” Jane gestures to the wall over by the couch. Melissa does as she is told, shuffling into the corner.
“Hands by your sides,” Jane says. “Nose against the wall. That’s right. Now you will stay there until I tell you otherwise.”
Melissa does as she is told, standing absolutely stock still. That is one advantage of those who are scared, they tend to be obedient and easy to handle.
