Publisher:Thomas Nelson Publishers -
Nashville 1981
Page 6
(Fellow Pupil at Dumbrells) We would have games
lessons on a Wednesday afternoon. The showers were
freezing cold. If you dared complain, you would be
punished. It was tough on discipline. From the age of
five, children would be punished with a lash of the
cane to the bare buttocks for any misdemeanor.
Camilla was a good pupil, quick-witted and bright. My
only memory of her getting into trouble was for being
a real chatterbox. She was a bundle of energy who
found it hard to be quiet, even for a few moments. She
was always getting told off for talking.
But she had such strength of character, nothing would
upset her. That's what I remember most about her - she
never allowed anything to get her down.
Once, she was caned for talking in class. She must
have been about six or seven years old. She came back
into the classroom and when she sat down you could
tell she was wincing in pain. But she did not hang her
head in shame and she absolutely refused to cry. The
tears were in her eyes and her bottom lip was
quivering. But she bit her lip and sat there with her
back straight and her face full ahead, looking at the
teacher defiantly. She was a tough one, that Camilla,
a real tough cookie.