Gynecocracy

Our bedroom was a good-sized one, with two small beds in it. She had, besides, a small sitting room of her own, in which were some books, and flowers, and canaries, who plainly, from the glance she gave them, were the pets that possessed all the softness which yet lingered about her.

I did not at all like being ordered about as I was, but very quickly discovered that Ellen would stand no nonsense.

The thought of the two beds in the same room also filled me with consternation.

"I cannot allow you to wear such drawers. Come with me into my bedroom. I shall take them off; they are a great deal too fine for a maid. In fact, at present, I shall not permit you to wear any drawers at all; and I do not approve of this dress, it makes you look too dignified and stately for your place. You must wear a frock, with a low neck and no sleeves; and I think, too, that as you appear anything but respectful and submissive, it will be just as well at once to correct and improve your disposition. My lady had not told you that I am Scots in great measure, and a firm believer, consequently, in corporal punishment. I can see plainly that severe chastisement periodically administered will greatly benefit you.".

"Oh, Ellen!" I exclaimed, turning all manner of colours.

She walked to her room bidding me follow her; and when I had entered, she shut the door behind me.

"Take off your drawers and hand them to me, if you please," she ordered, dryly and peremptorily.

I looked at her, I looked up, and I looked down, and she steadily looked at me, not repeating her command, but waiting for its execution and evidently wondering how long I was going to keep her waiting.

Some magnetic force impelled me. To my astonishment I found my arms under my skirts, loosening the bands of my beautiful baby drawers of which I was proud and very reluctant to part with.

"Bring them here," said Ellen.

And I obeyed.

"Thank you. Now take off your dress, your petticoat bodice, and your petticoats, and be quicker about it."

I again looked at her involuntarily; I suppose with the view of ascertaining what possibility there existed of successfully rebelling. Ellen very calmly and determinedly returned the gaze. Neither of us spoke.

I proceeded to divest myself of my dress, amp;c, as directed, and stood in my corset, chemise, and stockings before my mistress.

"You will not require those things again; fold them and put them away in this drawer." She went to a walnut chest of drawers and opening one, left it open, and said: "Put your clothes in there."

Under the power of her eye, I, with reluctance, in spite of myself, put my dress and petticoats in.

"Now shut the drawer."

I pushed it with my knees.

"Now you will inform me how you have been accustomed to be punished. Have you had a governess or a tutor?"

"A governess," I stammered out, hanging my head.

I am sure it was not my imagination that Ellen's form dilated at this reply. A keener light came into her eyes and a more set look into her countenance.

"I am glad to hear it. And pray, has she punished you?"

"Yes."

"Often?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"In various ways."

"Has she whipped your bottom?" asked Ellen, looking full at me.

"Yes, she has."

"With a birch, I suppose?"

"Yes."

"Across her knee?"

"No, on a bench, or across an ottoman."

"A fine thing for a big boy like you to be whipped by a girl," exclaimed Ellen scornfully, "and your bottom too!"

I blushed.

She walked to a drawer in an old-fashioned escritoire, opened it, and took out a black leather strap, four or five inches broad and about thirty inches long; its end was sliced into a number of thin strips about six inches long.

"Have you ever seen anything like this before?"

"Yes, I have," I answered, very pale.

"What is it?"

"It is a tawse."

"Yes, it is, and there is nothing I enjoy so much as using it. Every morning and every evening as long as you are here, I shall beat you severely with this," she said resolutely.

"Oh, Ellen, not today!"

"Yes, we may as well begin directly-at once."

"You will not be severe-oh, please!"

"I shall beat you until I am absolutely satisfied, until you are reduced to the most abject, the most grovelling subjection, until you beg and implore, and pray for pardon."

Ellen then walked up to me. Why it was that I could not resist her, I do not know, but I could not. She put me face downwards on a low, broad ottoman, evidently the top of a box for dresses; lifting the skirt of her dress, she held my head between her thighs outside her petticoats, but under her gown, and fastened my hands behind me. Then she lifted my chemise as much as the corset permitted and I could feel her contemplating my legs. I was already sobbing; her grip was ruthless, escape from it was hopeless. She then lifted her arm, continued to lash my bottom and thighs with blows, and commenced to lash me with her heavy leather tawse.

The pain was frightful. I writhed and struggled. She let go my head, pushing me down with her blows well-delivered from the shoulder.