Public caning in ‘The Headmaster’s Son’

 Jack Cairn is a pupil at Silver Street school. Just before the start of term he intervenes when two boys steal a book from a weaker boy. Jack thumps one of them (Blair) and their fight comes to the attention of the Headmaster who is also Jack’s father. The Headmaster has neither love nor respect for his son and treats him condescendingly. When Mr Cairn hears about the fight he calls a special school assembly.

In surprisingly quick time, all work had ceased and once more the whole school stood in perfect order, facing the platform.

Although outwardly there was calm and order, many minds were busily at work trying to guess reasons for the special assembly. The younger boys were entirely in the dark concerning the matter, but the two highest forms, knowing that various members had been interviewed by the Headmaster, judged that things had taken a serious turn.

They were not kept long in suspense. Almost immediately after they had taken up their stand, Mr Cairn entered the hall, followed by six boys. In response to a quiet order, Blair and Jack Cairn took up a position together beyond the Headmaster’s desk, upon the platform. The other four lined up in front of the prefects.

Without the least fuss, Mr Cairn walked to his desk and placed upon it a long, supple cane. Then he raised his head and faced the school. Assemblies were always quiet at Silver Street, but at this moment the silence had a peculiar intensity as Mr Cairn stood like a cold statue, without movement or emotion.

Mr Ware, the new assistant master, found his attention arrested by the Headmaster. “Efficiency! That is my watchword, Mr Ware.” The words re-echoed in his mind. There was every evidence around him of the Headmaster’s success. Mr Ware was struck by the man himself, tall, erect and muscular. Everything about him was clean cut; the trim, iron-grey hair, the eyes, the chin, the quiet, correct clothing, every tiny movement. And now, as the voice began to speak, it too, added to Mr Ware’s impression.

“It is unfortunate,” the voice began, “that we start a new term in this manner. Two boys have disgraced the school by brawling in a public place. In any case, you know that I disapprove of fighting. I disapprove still more of unseemly conduct of any kind in a public place. We cannot have the good name of Silver Street thoughtlessly injured by any boy.”

The Headmaster fixed his eyes on the two boys standing apart.

“I regret, indeed, to find Blair involved in the matter. A boy in the highest form should not need this reminder of his responsibility to the school, although it appears that he is least to blame. I regret still more, that the other to bring disgrace upon the school, and on whom the chief blame lies, is my own son.”

There was another pause as Mr Cairn once more rested his gaze upon the offenders, an action which brought the eyes of all to fix themselves upon the two boys.

Mr Ware was suddenly interested and found himself wondering which of the two boys was the Headmaster’s son. Both were big boys. One stood erect, calm and self-possessed. The other was listless. His shoulders drooped. His whole demeanour was strange and baffling. He immediately claimed Mr Ware’s whole attention, for at the Headmaster’s command Blair stepped smartly forward to take his punishment, leaving no doubt that the painfully dejected boy was the Headmaster’s own son.

Blair received two very deliberate strokes upon his outstretched hand and was then dismissed from the platform. The Headmaster had made it clear that his punishment was almost formal, for Blair had been least to blame and had promptly admitted the offence.

“Cairn!” The Headmaster’s voice rang out as he addressed his son, and waited for him to advance for punishment.

But Jack Cairn did not move. For some time he had been almost unconscious of the proceedings. His mind was far too busy with other thoughts. The school waited in silence. Mr Cairn was puzzled. For one hesitating second he stared, amazed at the dejected figure before him. Then he raised his voice to a higher tone.

“Cairn!” he commanded.

The voice recalled Jack to himself. He stood erect with a jerk and turned to face towards his father.

Their eyes met. Just for a moment there was a fierce conflict. Mr Cairn’s outstretched cane pointed to his desk. For one wavering instant Jack’s eyes looked full into his father’s. His nails dug into his flesh. Then his mind became muddled again. He hesitated. His eyes fell. His hands relaxed. Once more he accepted life as he found it. Without the slightest protest he walked over to the desk and bent over it, his body flat, his arms outstretched before him.

Mr Cairn’s stick rose and fell in a shower of severe blows which few boys would care to have received. It was seldom necessary for him to punish in this manner, but when he did he showed no mercy. Certainly, on this occasion Mr Cairn left no room for any charge of favouritism towards his own son.

At last the blows ceased. “You may return to your rooms,” said the Headmaster.

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