The three of them were in the morning room.  The mistress was seated with a stern and angry expression while holding an intimidating bundle of birch twigs upright in her hands.  Tom, the hall boy, was on his knees in front of her so she would not have to look up at him as she scolded him for his gross misconduct the previous evening.  Mabel, the under-maid, the victim of the terrible behavior was by the door to witness justice.© Y Lee Coyote

The lecture seemed interminable to the miserable lad who was already worried that he would be fired without a reference and have to return to his brutal step-father’s house.  It was a relief of sorts when she pronounced the sentence.  “At lunch you are to politely ask Mr. Harris to soundly birch you and invite Mabel to watch.  You shall never repeat such a terrible offence again on penalty of instant dismissal.  Now both of you return to your duties.”

Tom, now carrying the fearsome birch bundle, was not sure of his feelings went to tend to the chamber pots.  Mabel who was most delighted with the result and looking forward to the chastisement returned to her cleaning duties.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was with great trepidation that Tom approached the Butler seated at the head of the table, carrying the frightening birch.  “Mr. Harris, would you be so kind as to soundly birch me?” and then he turned to the offended lass “Miss Mabel, you are welcome to watch me getting my well-deserved punishment.”

The elderly butler responded “I must be out this afternoon, Tom.  Jameson, please tend to this matter after lunch.”  Tom gulped for the head footman was a large and strong man who disliked him unlike the much smaller, older butler.  He knew he was in for a harsher beating than he already dreaded.

“Tom be in the boot room in two hours for punishment and put the birch in a tub to soak until then.” ordered Jameson after acknowledging the order.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jameson collected the birch two hours later and when he entered the boot room the two junior servants were there.  He directed the lass to stand by the door where she could observe but not be in the way.  “STRIP, boy, and hang up your clothes so they won’t get messed.”  The boy was shocked but knew better than to question a direct order from the senior footman especially as the butler’s surrogate.  Mabel was delighted.

When Tom was naked he was ordered to lay on a stool and grasp the legs until told he might stand.  Jameson raised the birch and swung it hard at the waiting arse with his full force pleased to be able to thrash the lad he hated.

Tom managed to not yell but only grunted from the first strike of the birch although it hurt far more than his step-father’s strap and left wicked tracks.  After a couple more strikes of birch he could not help but to howl.  The footman continued the thrashing with each blow having the same result until the lad was sobbing.

“Do you think that is sufficient?” he asked the lass.  She nodded having never seen such a sight before.

“Get up, Tom, and apologize to Mabel for your outrageous conduct.”  Tom stood with difficulty and faced Mabel with his hands covering his crotch.  “HANDS AT YOUR SIDE AND STAND STRAIGHT.” ordered the footman sharply.

“I’m sorry.” he muttered totally ashamed and with his arse ravaged.

“I’m sure you are now, little boy.” Mabel responded scornfully.

“Tom get dressed and both of you return to your duties.” Jameson ordered.

Tom mused on how much more her words hurt than the slap on his face Mabel gave him for stealing a kiss.