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 THE UNIFORM INSPECTION by Alex Birch

   October of 1918 was a bleak and cold one in Britain.  The entire nation
was shorn of manpower and resources from the dreadful toll exacted by the
First World War, thus many women went to work for the first time, anxious
to ensure at least a subsistence level for their children.  The War was
dragging to an end with the Allies launching the Amiens and Meuse-Argone
offensives, the Germans soon pushed further and further back to a position
of what would eventually be seen as hopeless.

   While the British were at last enjoying a turn round in the fortunes of
war, very little of that could be seen at home where every street in every
town was a picture of austerity and hardship.  If the deprivations of war
were not enough, the country lay under the dark shadow of the worst
influenza epidemic the world had ever known.

   The local churchyard of Nechells in Birmingham was typical of the
country at large with coffins piled up against the church wall, deaths
coming so frequently during the month of September 1918 that there was not
enough time or space to bury the dead.  It was a nation robbed of its youth
by the war and of its old people by the onset of a deadly disease.

   At 8am in her home in nearby Barwell Street, twelve year old Prudence
Barratt had time for little of this musing.  She had far greater worries
than that.  Today her school had a new Headmistress and Prudence was
nervous.  There was no rationale to her state of mind except a fear of the
unknown and her love for Mrs Graydon who had taken early retirement in
order to look after her war wounded husband.

   Prudence recalled her first day at the new school just 12 months before,
when again her mind had been in a ferment of nervous anxiety.  It was the
first time she had to wear a uniform.  The Barratt household had buzzed
with pride , her mam chivvying the youngster to hurry up and get ready lest
she be late for her big day.  Pru's older sister Beryl, eight years her
senior, was proud of the nipper too though it wouldn't have done to show
it. There was an element of envy too, for Prudence was the first of the
family to get a scholarship to the St Winifreds Church School, an
establishment which shared its academic tuition between some scholarship
students amid a majority of fee paying children.  Its reputation in the
area was first class and an opportunity for a few working class girls to
achieve something, escaping the drudgery of factory life.

   The uniform had been a problem for Agnes Barratt, her husband away in
the forces and with precious little money coming in from the metal castings
factory where she slaved to make ends meet.  Beryl was no longer any
financial help, her husband too away in France, and, now heavy with child,
she was unable to continue the heavy lifting work at the laundry.  Between
them, however, the two women scraped and begged for material, Agnes' skills
with a sewing machine eventually producing something vaguely akin to a St
Winifred' s uniform.  Prudence had been, predictably, ungrateful and
horrified.  'Mam, they'll laff at me in this!!' she had wailed in horror
when she tried on her new creation.  Agnes had sighed sadly at the display
of ingratitude but understood her younger daughter's concerns.

   'No they wont...' she replied softly '...we havent the money for new
clothes and there's a war on.  If those snotty little runts whose parents
pay for 'em start poking fun, you tell 'em you got there cos of your
brains, not cos of your money...that'll shut em up!!' Of course all little
Pru's worries had been entirely justified, her listless walk through the
gates of her new school heralding the gathering of a gaggle of chortling
girls, all immaculately turned out, who pointed and guffawed as the hapless
ragamuffin with the cobbled together ill matching uniform walked with head
down and close to humiliated tears.

   It had been Mrs Graydon who found the sobbing youngster by the toilets
and gently discovered the problem.  She realised immediately from the
appearance of the kid what had happened and, at assembly that morning had
delivered a homily on the sacrifices many families had made for the war
effort and how much in debt everyone was to the heroes so far away.  She
had pointedly remarked how cruel it was for the pupils whose fathers had
been spared war service to mock the deprivations of others and how it must
stop.  She had made Prudence feel proud of herself and her family once more
and the little girl fell in love with her head teacher from that moment on.
She had become a good pupil over those 12 months and Mrs Graydon had
occasion to visit the Barratt family to tell them so.

   Eventually during the year, Agnes Barratt scraped up sufficient money
for a new uniform....blouse, gymslip, knickers and ankle socks....  and
Prudence was the happiest girl alive.  Of course they still scraped along
on a wing and a prayer and there were days when the uniform was in the wash
when Prudence had to make do but Mrs Graydon had been so understanding with
Pru and other girls in a similar position, that her academic performance
went from strength to strength.

   Then, just as the school year was coming to an end, came the sad news
from the war front that Mrs Graydon's husband had been invalided out of the
army after inhaling mustard gas and that his lungs were permanently
damaged. The Head Teacher , full of emotion, addressed the girls and told
them how much she valued each and every one of them and how much she would
miss them all.  There were a few tears in assembly that morning and
Prudence Barratt's flowed more than most.

   The Chairman of the Board of Governors, after paying fulsome tribute to
Mrs Graydon, told the girls that efforts were already in place to find a
replacement and that a new Head Teacher would be in place by the start of
the new school year.

   So it was on this day in October 1918 that Prudence, dressed in her best
school uniform yet full of trepidation, set out for school wondering what
sort of creature would replace her beloved Mrs Graydon and what life held
in store for the new term.  She arrived at the school gates, stomach
fluttering in anticipation, just as the bell rang and the girls began to
stream into assembly to begin the new school year

   Prudence, along with her 2nd year class, filed into the large hall and
stood in line near the stage at the front of the huge hall.  She gazed up
at the assembled figures of authority, most very familiar to her, but her
eyes were drawn to the dark haired woman in a grey dress who sat between Mr
Turnbull, the Chairman of the Governors, and Miss Trotter, the physics
teacher.  It was quite apparent, before any introductions were made, that
this was the new Head Teacher.  She appeared to exude power and authority
in her very manner and the deferential manner of Miss Trotter served only
to confirm the opinion.

   Prudence was unable to tear her eyes away from this imposing creature, a
woman in her late thirties she guessed, with dark hair and flinty,
humourless dark eyes.  She was attractive, in a severe way, and Prudence
imagined how easily she could intimidate with just a glance of those steely
eyes.  The little girl began to tremble as the opening hymn was announced
and everyone on the podium stood up.  On her feet the newcomer seemed even
more imposing, tall and correct of bearing, her face scanning the hall
taking in the appearance of the throng of girls in front of her.  The hymn
over, Mr Turnbull, moved to the lectern and addressed the hushed hall.

   'Good morning girls and welcome to the new term at St.Winifreds.  We had
the misfortune to lose the services of Mrs Graydon last year but I am
pleased to inform you that the school has succeeded in finding a new Head
Teacher whose record of academic success and discipline is second to none.
I would like to introduce, without further procrastination, Miss Violet
Winterton!'

   One could have heard a pin drop as the imposing figure of Miss Winterton
moved towards the lectern and gazed out at the sea of faces before her.

   'Thank you for the introduction, Mr Turnbull...' she began, and Prudence
thought how deep and strident her voice was, so unlike the soft tones of
Mrs Graydon '....and good morning girls.  I am proud and honoured to be
your new Head Teacher and I intend to continue the work of my predecessor
in order to make this school the model of excellence for which it is
renowned.  First class though it is, however, there are few things in this
world which cannot be improved upon with a little hard work and
application.

   I believe that academic success goes hand in hand with a sense of pride.
Pride in oneself, pride in one's school.  This is clearly manifest in our
appearance.  I am aware that you girls are from different social
backgrounds and means.  I know too there is a war on and that many of your
parents are away in the forces.  This is laudable though I know it means
hardship for some.  However there are agencies which supply funding for the
needy and I am not prepared to accept hardship as an excuse for a falling
away in standards of appearance at my school.'

   Gasps began to ripple through the audience as the impact of the words
were absorbed, gasps which were stilled by a sharp rap on the lectern and
the sight of those steely eyes scanning the audience for any signs of
chattering.  Miss Winterton, having established her authority, continued:

   'I arrived early this morning to meet the staff and took the opportunity
to study you all from the window as you arrived.  I have to say how
impressed I was with the turn out of the large majority of our girls. 
However there were a few of you who were quite clearly not wearing the full
St.  Winifred's school uniform or whose clothing was grubby.  I am not
prepared to tolerate a continuance of this and thus I intend to institute a
programme of uniform inspections!'

   More gasps from the assembled girls led to another blow on the lectern
and an angry glare of those steely eyes.  'I am something of a fanatic when
it comes to tidiness and discipline...' she continued, in an atmosphere
where a pin drop could be heard '...and I will reinforce these inspections
with punishment for those who fail to obey this requirement.  This will
vary from lines and impositions to stronger medicine should the message not
get through.  I will have no compunction in using .....' she paused and
stared dramatically around the hall '....corporal punishment on any girl
who persistently ignores the code of conduct in this school..and that
includes wearing the correct full uniform at all times!  Thank you girls,
that will be all for now.  I will be drawing up my plans for the school
year together with the teaching staff over the next few days'

   Miss Winterton nodded her head in thanks as applause began from the
staff and governors on the podium , dutifully followed on cue by the
assembled girls.  When assembly was over, Prudence made her way to her
first class in a subdued mood, a frame of mind echoed by her two best
friends who walked beside her.

   'She seems a right tartar..' whispered little Beryl Matthews, glancing
round nervously in case the new Head was on her heels '..and what does
'corporal punishment' mean?' which had also baffled Prudence.  They both
looked to Emily Ford, always regarded as the brains of the trio, and were
not disappointed.  'Oh Beryl, you are dim at times....' Emily said in
disgust '...it means she' s allowed to smack your bottom!' Prudence and
Beryl stared at their friend in disbelief.  'She couldn't do that....'
Prudence gasped '...me mam wouldn't allow it!  Even me mam n' dad never did
that!!  ' Emily sighed in despair 'Havent you two ever read the school
rules?  Course she can do it!!  Just that Mrs G never believed in it.  Your
mam aint got any choice.  She signed the form same as mine!  We'll have to
make sure we don't give her cause, that's all!'

   In the Barratt household that evening there was an explosion of anger
from Pru's mother the like of which the little girl had not seen for many a
year.  'Agencies for the needy??  Not prepared to accept hardship??  Who
the bloody hell does the snotty cow think she is?  I ain't beggin' for
'ardship money for nobody!!  I'm going to that school and I'm going to tell
'er to 'er face that......' but Beryl Barratt laid a gentle hand on her
mother's arm.

   'Mam, that ain't going to do our Pru any good and you know it.  'Ers
done well at that school and 'ers got the chance to get away from our sort
of life.  Make summat of 'erself.  If you go down making a scene it'll only
go against 'er.  You signed the form when 'er got 'er scholarship.  You
know it says school uniform must be worn and you know they 'ave the right
to give 'em ..wotsit called...corporal punishment.  Mrs G was so
understandin' of our troubles but I spose they ain't all got the same view.
We'll just 'ave to make sure our Pru don't get copped.  If that means
begging at the Agency, mam,then I'm prepared to do it.  I don't like it
neither but we can't let 'er get into trouble!'

   So it was that with the grudging acceptance of her mother, Beryl Barratt
joined the queue at the War Hardship Agency and faced the demeaning
committee of town worthies who poked and probed into the family's personal
circumstances with intrusive thoroughness.  After an interrogation which
left Beryl close to humiliated tears, she left with enough vouchers to
purchase a second St.  Winifreds skirt but that was all.  Her pregnancy was
the subject of comment, one committee member observing that it would have
been sensible had she and her husband taken some precautions given the
family circumstances and maybe they would not be in such financial straits
now.  It had been all Beryl could do to refrain from smacking his face but
she gritted her teeth, conscious of her mission.  She was told to apply
again in two weeks but the signs were not hopeful, and they would just have
to keep washing and cleaning to keep Prudence looking spick and span.

   The new regime at St Winifreds began within days of Violet Winterton' s
appointment, the new Head suddenly sweeping into Prudence' class midway
through a mathematics lesson.  'I wont delay you long, Miss Pimlett...' she
announced '....but I would like each girl to come out to the front as you
call her name from the register.  I will inspect one girl at a time'
Dutifully the young maths teacher began to read the register and the first
girl, with tightened stomach and ashen face, rose from her desk .  She
passed muster and the relief flooded her face.  Soon it was Pru's turn and
she felt sick as she rose and presented herself to the Head's inspection.
To her delight and relief, Violet Winterton smiled.  'Excellent,
Barratt...'she said '....just what I like to see.  You may return to your
desk'.

   The inspection continued until it was little Beryl Matthews' turn.  All
eyes were on the plump little girl as she rose slowly from her seat and
walked to the front.  After a brief inspection, Miss Winterton's spoke
angrily.

   'Matthews, you have an egg stain on your blouse and your gymslip has a
small tear.  I am not prepared to accept scruffy dress of this sort in my
school.  You will stay for an hour after school and write 500 lines 'I must
take pride in my appearance'.  Is that clear?' Beryl, tears welling up in
her eyes, muttered 'Please Miss Winterton, my mam expects me home by...'
but her protest was cut short by an angry shout of 'Silence or I will
punish you more severely!  I understand many of you girls live close to
Matthews home.  One of you will let her mother know she has been detained
and why.  That is all!'

   The inspection proceeded, Miss Winterton finding fault with two more
girls who received a similar punishment, then, with a curt nod to the
mathematics teacher, the head left the room.  The lesson proceeded as the
girls sat in a state of shock, Prudence only too relieved that she had
passed muster.  On their way home that night, Prudence and Emily called in
at the Matthews home and passed on the message to a very angry Gladys
Matthews.  'What sort of world does that damn woman live in?  How does she
think we keep our kids spotless at times like this?....' she muttered
'....now 'er dinners ruined too!  Damn and blast the cow!' The reaction of
Agnes Barratt was similar with a muttered 'Just let 'er try that stunt with
you that's all!'

   Needless to say, with such a strict regime, Prudence was indeed brought
to book within the week for a soiled gymslip and given a similar
punishment. When Agnes Barratt was told, she became extremely angry and,
despite the entreaties of both Beryl and Pauline, resolved to demand a
meeting with Miss Winterton the very next day and have the whole matter out
with her.

   When Agnes arrived at the school she was greeted by the Head Teacher
with a polite but icy disdain.  Poor Agnes burned with humiliation when
Miss Winterton laid out the school rules on the table and said acidly 'If
you feel that your daughter cannot comply with the very basic regulations
governing tidiness, Mrs Barratt, then perhaps you should remove her from
the school!'

   Agnes had her say, burned herself out with anger and frustration, which
Miss Winterton simply absorbed with clinical detachment, and Agnes realised
she was beaten.  She rose from her chair and bid the Head Teacher a curt
goodbye, tears not far away as she left the office, stung by the implied
rebuke that she was unable to keep Prudence clean and tidy.  From that
point on Prudence' cards were marked and it was no great surprise when the
little girl found herself in trouble again the following week for another
clothing infringement, this time receiving a 2 night detention.

   While Agnes smarted with impotence, convinced that her daughter was now
being singled out, Beryl arrived home from a visit to a friend, her face
shining with excitement and mischief.  'Where's our Pru.?' She asked and
Agnes told her, adding that it seemed that they could do nothing about the
situation

   'Well I'm not so sure our mam....' Beryl replied, gleaming '...because
you wont believe what Sally told me today.  She was returning home the
other evening through the park and....' she leant closer to her mother's
ear in the manner of a conspirator and finished her narrative.  By the time
she was done, Agnes' eyes were agog with disbelief and a new optimism
filled her soul.  She grinned at her elder daughter and pinched her arm
with delight.  'Let's arrange another little chat with your friend
Sally....' she said mischievously '...with a little more information, I
think we might be able to stop that snotty madam right in her tracks!'

   By early November 1918, Violet Winterton had been in post for a month
and there was little doubt that the entire school had smartened up, thanks
to the heavy threat of retribution hanging over each and every girl who
failed to comply with the dress code.  However the school was now in a
regime of fear, far from the joyous spirit in which Mrs Graydon had left
it. Even between the four walls of the staff room, disquiet was expressed
by most of the teachers at the change in the atmosphere, but jobs were
precious in these trying times and no one was prepared to risk their own
with a protest, so the staff simply went along with the new rules with
considerable reluctance.

   By now, over 50 girls had found themselves in detention for dress code
offences though as yet no one had received corporal punishment.  That was
to change very soon.  Miss Winterton's zeal for perfection reached its
zenith one Monday morning when, before the lunch break, a message was sent
to each class by the Head that during the lunch break every girl was to go
to the assembly hall.  No further explanation was given but each class was
given a ten minute time slot during the lunch break in which to comply with
the instruction.

   Prudence, in common with her classmates, was in a state of terror.  What
could Miss Winterton want with them in the assembly hall?  During the
morning, she could hardly concentrate on her lessons, constantly fidgeting
with her uniform and checking that all was in place.  She was flawless that
day she was certain but the fear refused to subside.  So at lunch break,
the second year class filed over to the assembly hall, every face pinched
in trepidation of what was to follow.  As they walked in to the hall, eyes
were drawn to a stern Miss Winterton, arms folded grimly, standing next to
a large mirror which had been laid flat on the floor.

   'I expect you are wondering what purpose this serves, girls....' Violet
Winterton began '...well you are about to be enlightened.  A school uniform
at St Winifreds includes underwear...to wit, a pair of bottle green
knickers.  It has occurred to me that in my inspections thus far, underwear
has been sadly neglected and yet is just as fundamental an element as
anything else.  I intend to inspect your underpants.  I shall do this
without unnecessarily exposing you to immodesty in front of your
classmates.

   Girls please remove your shoes, pull your skirts outwards, raise them a
little and walk across the mirror.  Alphabetical order if you please!'
Suddenly Prudence felt sick.  Horribly, nauseatingly sick.  How could the
fates be so unkind.  She had only two pairs of the regulation underpants
and both were in the wash.  It was the one area in which the family now
gambled and she was wearing a pair of Beryl's dowdy grey hand me downs
which had definitely seen better days.

   Her name was called and the little girl began that slow walk across the
mirror, eyes closed, her body trembling as she was brought to a halt by a
harsh command.  'What are those things you are wearing Barratt?  Certainly
not school regulation issue!' 'Oh please Miss Winterton...'Prudence pleaded
'...my school ones are in the wash.  Please Miss I.....' 'No excuses,
Barratt.....' the icy voice replied '....take them off NOW!'

   A gasp erupted from the assembled girls, hushed by the Head teacher's
steely glare as Prudence cried in shame and hesitated.  'Do as you're told
IMMEDIATELY or it will be worse for you!' the Head thundered.  Reluctantly
Prudence reached under her skirt and pulled down her underpants, weeping
quietly and shamefully aware of the stares of her classmates as she did so.
She slipped them off her feet and picked them up.

   'Give them to me!' the Head ordered and Prudence, her hand shaking,
passed the offending item to her tormentor.  Miss Winterton took the
knickers between thumb and forefinger as if they were infected, then took
them in both hands and spread them out for the entire class to see. 
Prudence hung her head in abject humiliation as her knickers were displayed
to all.  'Not only is this item of apparel...if that is not too kind a
word..not school regulation, Barratt but it's a shoddy disgrace for
underwear.  Look at them girl!  There are more holes than material.....' at
which some of the girls giggled as Prudence cried into her hands '...and
you should be ashamed to come to school in such a state.  Very well,
Barratt, you may return to your lunch break....minus your underwear...and
you can collect these from me at 4pm after school.  We will take the
opportunity to review your continued slovenliness at that time.  '

   Prudence stared at the Head Teacher in disbelief.  Spend the entire
afternoon without any knickers on?  She stood rooted to the spot.  'Are you
deaf as well as scruffy, girl?' Miss Winterton shouted and Prudence, her
little frame shaking with emotion, turned and walked out of the hall.  As
she walked, sobbing, down the corridor she found her hands drawn to her
sides desperate to keep her skirt down, shamefully conscious of her
nakedness beneath.  She reached her classroom and went back inside, too
frightened to go into the playground for fear that the combination of a
high breeze, and even more likely, the mischief of her classmates who had
witnessed her shame might result in humiliating public exposure.  She sat
at her desk and cried her heart out, conscious not only of her nudity but
the appointment with Miss Winterton at the end of the day.

   After lunch the girls filed back into class to find a red faced Prudence
already seated there desperately hoping that Miss Watson the geography
teacher would be early and not leave her to the mercy of her classmates. 
It was not to be, for though she was spared physical interference, a chant
of 'Prudence Barratt's got no drawers, got no drawers, got no drawers'
began almost immediately as the little girl put her fingers in her ears to
drown out the mockery.  Eventually to Prudence' relief, Miss Watson arrived
and the open mockery stopped but for the rest of the afternoon, the hapless
Prudence was the subject of finger pointing and grins from the other girls
which she tried desperately to shut out.

   As the clock ticked on towards 4pm, Pru's stomach began to do cartwheels
and she was compelled to ask permission to leave the room twice during
mathematics, the last class of the day.  'Something you ate, Prudence?'
Miss Pimlett enquired solicitously and Prudence answered in the negative.
'I..I just don't feel well Miss' she faltered and a voice from the back of
the class shouted 'Its cos she's got to see Miss Winterton to get her
drawers back, Miss' and there were ripples of laughter before an angry Miss
Pimlett banged on the desk and shouted 'Enough!'

   She acompanied Prudence to the door and said softly 'Never mind love. 
You come back when you feel better' and Prudence smiled gratefully for the
kindness.  At 4pm the bell rang for the end of lessons and Miss Pimlett
considerately stemmed the flow of pupils heading for the door, allowing
Prudence to leave first, thus avoiding another trial by mockery.  'Go on
Pru...' the teacher said quietly '...best go straight there and get it over
with!' and the little girl began the slow walk down the corridor to the
Head Teachers office.  Prudence stared up at the huge oak door, gulped hard
and knocked.  'Come!' came the sharp order and Prudence opened the door and
walked in.

   The Head Teacher was standing, arms folded, behind her desk as Prudence
entered the office , her steely gaze fixed on the little girl who stood
trembling before her.  'So Barratt, have you felt ashamed, spending the
entire afternoon without any underwear!!  Come on speak up girl!' she
snapped.  Prudence could feel the tears welling up again as she muttered
'Yes Miss Winterton!' The Head snorted her disdain.  'I should think so
too. I hope you will never have to undergo that experience again, Barratt!
I was disgusted by that scrap of material you classed as knickers which I
suppose you have now come to claim back?' The tears were flowing freely now
as Prudence replied meekly 'Yes Miss, Please Miss' The Head Teacher's face
creased into a grim smile.  'Very well, Barratt....' she said , reaching in
to her desk drawer ' ....you may have them back.  However before you claim
them it seems to me that right now you are ideally dressed for a timely
reminder about school discipline.  You have already received two detentions
and its about time you received something a little more painful!'

   The girl's eyes widened in shock and she gasped as Miss Winterton
produced a thick leather strap from her desk and slapped it firmly across
the palm of her hand.  'Right Barratt, bend low across the desk and grip
the far side...firmly!  Do it NOW!!' Stricken with shock Prudence stumbled
to the desk and bent over it , her hands gripping the far side for dear
life, her little bottom thrust up through the thin skirt.  Miss Winterton
walked around the desk and took hold of the skirt, lifting it right up the
girl's back and tucking it into her blouse.  Prudence lay still in terror,
her bare bottom now completely exposed.

   'Lets see if this can mend your ways my girl.  Six strokes!!' Miss
Winterton announced.  Prudence closed her eyes and prayed silently as she
heard a rustle of movement and then THWACK, the heavy strap whipped across
her naked buttocks.  Prudence cried out in agony as her bottom was suddenly
stung by a million bees and she was unable to resist the temptation to move
her hands back to the punished area as she wailed in pain.  'Get back in
position!...' the Head snapped, '...and if you move your hands again I will
repeat the stroke.  Do you understand?'

   Prudence , weeping copiously, resumed her position with some effort and
the strap came down for a second time, a little lower on her sensitive
bottom cheeks.  She howled in pain and wriggled her bottom but somehow
managed to stay in position.  Strokes three and four followed rapidly and
this time Prudence was unable to obey.  She shot bolt upright clutching her
bottom and crying piteously.

   'Get back down girl!! ...' Miss Winterton demanded '...and that's three
more for disobedience!' Whatever courage Prudence had left disappeared at
this point and she cried and begged to be let off but Violet Winterton was
having none of it.  Prudence got back in to position and somehow managed to
take the five strokes on her bottom and thighs without moving her hands but
she was screaming by the time the punishment was over.

   'Stop that stupid row and get up!' the Head demanded as Prudence, her
eyes pouring tears as she wailed, got up hastily and began to dance around
on one foot, clutching her punished bottom which was now a mass of red
weals .  Miss Winterton stared at her impassively and then pointed to the
shabby knickers on the desk.  'Take them and go....' she ordered '...and
let that be a lesson to you.  I never want to see you in such a state again
or you will get worse than that!!' Prudence picked up the underpants with
one hand, her other still clutching her exposed bottom as she stumbled to
the door, any modesty now completely forgotten as the burning anguish
ravaged her bottom and legs.

   The little girl ran down the corridor and out into the playground, her
eyes blinded with tears as she fled towards the school gates crying in pain
and utter humiliation.  Almost unconsciously she fled past a group of her
classmates who gasped and giggled in equal proportion.  It was only then
that Prudence realised she was still holding up her skirt and that her
crimson bottom was on display to everyone.  With a sob she let go her skirt
and covered herself, running pell mell down the main road, almost running
into two neighbours in her hysterical flight before she turned the corner
into Barwell Street and fumbled for the latch on her gate.  Gasping and
crying she banged on the front door until Agnes opened up and stared in
horror as her beloved little girl, red faced and weeping copiously, fell
into her arms.

   An hour or so later after Prudence had been sent to bed with a sedative,
a furious Agnes Barratt was still being calmed by her elder daughter. 
Beryl took charge of the situation immediately, her mother beside herself
with rage and incapable of rational thought for the time being.  'Now don't
you do nothin' rash our mam....' she said quietly....'not until I 've been
over to Sally's anyway.  I'll see what 'er and 'er young man with the
camera have come up with and with a bit 'o luck we can go over to that
school tomorrow and sort this out once and for all' Agnes nodded her
agreement, her expression grim.  'Lets hope we're in luck, Beryl love ...'
she muttered '...because when I saw those welts on our Pru's arse I could
have bloody killed that woman!'

   At 10am the next morning, two grim faced women entered the gates of St
Winifreds School and walked through the front entrance.  They walked
straight on down the corridor until they reached the office marked Head
Teacher and walked straight in without even a cursory knock.  Miss
Winterton was in conversation with Miss Trotter and both women looked
astonished as Agnes and Beryl stormed in to the office.

   'Would you mind having the decency to knock, please ladies?....' Violet
Winterton snapped angrily '...and as far as I know you have no appointment.
Please make one with the school secretary of you wish to talk to me.  This
interruption is very unseemly'

   Agnes Barratt walked up to the desk and stuck her face as close to that
of the Head Teacher as she could without actual contact.  'Don't you
lecture me on decency you snotty cow!....' she growled as Miss Trotter
gasped nervously '...and we aint goin' nowhere.  You can talk to her
later!'

   Miss Trotter began to protest but one look from an angry Beryl and she
subsided into silence, backing meekly away from these two obviously
deranged women!  Violet Winterton took a deep breath.  'I can guess what
this is about, Mrs Barratt...' she said wearily '....alright Miss Trotter I
will speak to you later' and waved the timid Physics teacher towards the
door, an exit she gratefully accepted.

   'I suppose you have come to whine about the punishment I administered to
Prudence yesterday...' she began '...and I hear she is not in school today.
Well I hope there is a good reas...' then she stopped in mid sentence her
face suddenly ashen as Agnes Barratt tossed a sepia coloured photograph on
to the desk in front of her.

   'Whaaa..how did you..how could...' Miss Winterton stammered as she began
to tremble her eyes wide with horror.  'I aint come to whine about
anything....' Agnes spat '...Ive come to show this school what sort of a
slut they have as a Head Teacher!!  I don't think anyone could doubt that
this is a picture of you, Miss Winterton, even with your mouth full!!  I
'ave to admit your boyfriend 'as one to be proud of and no mistake.  Pity
the picture don't show more of 'im don't you think?' Violet Winterton was
suddenly shaking with rage and shame.

   'How dare you blackmail me...' she screamed '...tha..that's disgusting.
I' m entitled to my privacy and ....' Beryl reached into her handbag and
passed her mother a second picture which she tossed contemptuously onto the
desk.  'You're performing lewd acts in a public park....' Agnes sneered
'....and thanks to these new fangled lenses, we can now see who the
boyfriend is!' and the picture clearly displayed Mr Turnbull, Chairman of
the Board, his eyes closed in ecstasy as Violet Winterton, half undressed
and on her knees, performed enthusiastic oral sex.

   Miss Winterton collapsed into her chair weeping.  'I don't know how you
got these....she whispered '...but this will be the end of my career if you
release them.  I'm sorry I whipped Prudence but she broke the rules
and....' Agnes paused for a minute and stared at the Head teacher in
disgust.  'You are a cow and no mistake....' she said '....apologisin' for
beating Pru now you got your back to the wall.  Well it aint just about our
Pru.  Its about the misery you have inflicted on this school since you've
been here.  You've got no 'eart or'understandin'.  How you can punish a
child for the sin of poverty is beyond me.'

   Beryl moved forward menacingly.  'Mam I reckon we ought to take that
strap out of 'er desk, pull her drawers down and give 'er a dose of 'er own
medicine' Violet shrunk back in her chair 'Oh God you wouldn't!!' she cried
and Agnes shook her head.  'You aint worth it ...'she said coldly '...and I
think these pictures have 'umiliated you enough!  Now I aint no detective
but I think it wont take long to prove that Turnbull wangled you into this
job and that you've been 'is fancy woman for some time.  It wouldn't take
much to check your credentials !' 'What do you want from me?' Violet
Winterton muttered, her body sagging her face a picture of defeat.  'Your
resignation in writing to the Board of Governors today...!' Agnes demanded
'....or these pictures go to the Church School Commission and to the rest
of the Board.  I'd suggest you tell your boyfriend to quit as Chairman too.
He's a disgrace to the post!' Violet Winterton looked up in desperation and
then reached into her desk for her notepaper.

   The children in assembly were singing lustily and Prudence Barratt was
singing as heartily as any.  The little girl looked happily at the podium
where Miss Pimlett stood, newly installed as Head Teacher, and a glow of
happiness spread through her whole tiny frame.  That morning before she
left for school, Agnes had received a letter and , on reading its contents,
had thrown her arms around her two daughters in joy.  Daddy was coming home
from the War!  For little Prudence Barratt , all the bad times were in the
past and life was simply wonderful!  She opened her mouth once more and
sang, with lusty enthusiasm, 'All things bright and beautiful'.
   END