"Good afternoon, I'm Doreen Hodges, Reverend Moxon is expecting me", she said, smiling at Mrs Dyson, the housekeeper.
"Would you like to wait here in the dining room, Mrs Hodges? I'll bring you a cup of tea. The Dean has someone with him at the moment", said the housekeeper.
Mrs Dyson came back with a cup of tea and some shortbread. "You enjoy these. I'm sorry you can't see the Dean straight away, he's had to deal with a matter which has arisen at the school, I think. I'm going home in a minute, but I'm sure Reverend Moxon won't be long". The housekeeper returned to the kitchen, took her apron off, and a few minutes later went out of the kitchen door to go home.
Mrs Hodges looked across the lawn and watched two sparrows pecking for seeds or worms in the ground. A Magpie landed nearby, and the sparrows flew away. She could hear the clock ticking on the stone mantelpiece. Across the tile-floored hallway, she could hear voices: the distinctive voice of the Dean, a man's voice, and what she thought might be the voice of a boy. She couldn't hear what was said, but suddenly the voices went quiet. The floorboards creaked, then there was the distinctive sound of someone being caned. After the first three strokes, there was a sobbing sound which developed into a wail as the caning continued. Six strokes in all. The voices started again, and presently the door was opened. A man emerged pushing a tearful boy in front of him. The Dean followed them out and spoke to them as he opened the large oak front door: "Well, Mr Maddocks, I trust that young Jeremy won't be baring his bottom over my desk again. If he does, it'll be twelve strokes and he won't be going on the Scout camping trip or the choir outing this year! I'll see you both on Sunday".