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Authors: Sara Rawlings
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the inevitable searing of our
flesh, it being certain that we would suffer some scalding of our
buttocks, the only uncertainty being, to what degree, and with what
supplements of correction.
We could be
certain, too, that their exertions on our behalf, especially as
they were obliged to spend several hours cooped up in our close
vicinity, would aggravate the pernicious gatherings in their loins,
and they would have to call upon our services to relieve the
tumescence. Indeed, papa always took care that we came to the
court, our forks freshly washed, our crotch chains dangling between
our knees. Fortunately, our numbers exactly matched theirs, so none
of us was obliged to offer her rear opening more than once in the
evening.
Justice
Rodsham, and the good doctor, went to great pains to devise
additional disciplines that were exactly appropriate to specific
sins and shortcoming, and we seldom left a 'court' without
experiencing, or being promised, some new torment to curb our sorry
natures.
For example,
on more than one occasion it was remarked that Charlotte, although
she never rebelled against, or even questioned directly, the stern
regime under which we sought to become better women, she would give
an opinion where none had been asked, or ask for information
relative to our disciplines, beyond what was strictly necessary to
understand how they might benefit us.
The tribunal
discussed her case at some length on several occasions and, on the
last, the judge, drawing on his immense knowledge of judicial
punishments through the civilised world, recalled how, in the land
of the Scots, such questioning had been curbed by the scold's
bridle, or branks. The idea was taken up with enthusiasm, and the
doctor made an immediate examination of Charlotte's mouth and
teeth, prodding her tongue with his forefinger, while Justice
Rodsham held her jaws open, as horse dealers do in the market. He
took a number of measurements with his pocket rule, and undertook
to obtain the necessary device by the next meeting.
We did not
fully understand what a branks might be, nor its use, but it hung
over us as a considerable menace for the next four weeks or so,
since we had no shadow of doubt that we would not care for it and,
although it was being primarily obtained for the better curbing of
Charlotte's busy tongue, we had no hope that, once obtained, it
would be reserved for her use only, and thought it certain that,
whatever its woes, we would all know them shortly.
Nor were we
mistaken.
Chapter
4
Bridles &
Other Curbs
We approached
the next session of the 'court' with more than usual apprehension,
and took care to be on our best behaviour, and to appear in the
best state of dress we knew how, compatible with our status as
sinners. Our hair was washed and carefully combed, braided tightly,
and wound in neat crowns on our heads. Our accoutrements shone, the
steel of our bands burnished, the leather at collar, knee, and
waists, buffed up to a mellow gloss. Even the crotch chains, that
chinked between our knees as they touched the links of our fetters,
had been scoured clean. We were washed above and below, and our
gowns were pressed and fresh.
We stood along
the wall, facing the court, and waited, breathing lightly in our
rib crushing stays, their laces tensioned up to harp string
tautness. Our heads were held high by the tall and rigid collars
under our chins, but we kept our eyes cast submissively towards the
floor, so as not to challenge our guardians with our glances.
I hoped my
knees would not tremble so much that the clinking of their chain
would be remarked, and gritted my teeth, trying to still the
flinching of my buttocks, and the sick feeling in my belly.
We had no idea
what the branks might be like, but the pitiless cane was ever
present and, apparently, inevitable. And that thought alone, of its
deadly cuts in my tender flesh, the surging pain, the deep bruises
that ached and throbbed for hours and were sore to sit on for
flesh, it being certain that we would suffer some scalding of our
buttocks, the only uncertainty being, to what degree, and with what
supplements of correction.
We could be
certain, too, that their exertions on our behalf, especially as
they were obliged to spend several hours cooped up in our close
vicinity, would aggravate the pernicious gatherings in their loins,
and they would have to call upon our services to relieve the
tumescence. Indeed, papa always took care that we came to the
court, our forks freshly washed, our crotch chains dangling between
our knees. Fortunately, our numbers exactly matched theirs, so none
of us was obliged to offer her rear opening more than once in the
evening.
Justice
Rodsham, and the good doctor, went to great pains to devise
additional disciplines that were exactly appropriate to specific
sins and shortcoming, and we seldom left a 'court' without
experiencing, or being promised, some new torment to curb our sorry
natures.
For example,
on more than one occasion it was remarked that Charlotte, although
she never rebelled against, or even questioned directly, the stern
regime under which we sought to become better women, she would give
an opinion where none had been asked, or ask for information
relative to our disciplines, beyond what was strictly necessary to
understand how they might benefit us.
The tribunal
discussed her case at some length on several occasions and, on the
last, the judge, drawing on his immense knowledge of judicial
punishments through the civilised world, recalled how, in the land
of the Scots, such questioning had been curbed by the scold's
bridle, or branks. The idea was taken up with enthusiasm, and the
doctor made an immediate examination of Charlotte's mouth and
teeth, prodding her tongue with his forefinger, while Justice
Rodsham held her jaws open, as horse dealers do in the market. He
took a number of measurements with his pocket rule, and undertook
to obtain the necessary device by the next meeting.
We did not
fully understand what a branks might be, nor its use, but it hung
over us as a considerable menace for the next four weeks or so,
since we had no shadow of doubt that we would not care for it and,
although it was being primarily obtained for the better curbing of
Charlotte's busy tongue, we had no hope that, once obtained, it
would be reserved for her use only, and thought it certain that,
whatever its woes, we would all know them shortly.
Nor were we
mistaken.
Chapter
4
Bridles &
Other Curbs
We approached
the next session of the 'court' with more than usual apprehension,
and took care to be on our best behaviour, and to appear in the
best state of dress we knew how, compatible with our status as
sinners. Our hair was washed and carefully combed, braided tightly,
and wound in neat crowns on our heads. Our accoutrements shone, the
steel of our bands burnished, the leather at collar, knee, and
waists, buffed up to a mellow gloss. Even the crotch chains, that
chinked between our knees as they touched the links of our fetters,
had been scoured clean. We were washed above and below, and our
gowns were pressed and fresh.
We stood along
the wall, facing the court, and waited, breathing lightly in our
rib crushing stays, their laces tensioned up to harp string
tautness. Our heads were held high by the tall and rigid collars
under our chins, but we kept our eyes cast submissively towards the
floor, so as not to challenge our guardians with our glances.
I hoped my
knees would not tremble so much that the clinking of their chain
would be remarked, and gritted my teeth, trying to still the
flinching of my buttocks, and the sick feeling in my belly.
We had no idea
what the branks might be like, but the pitiless cane was ever
present and, apparently, inevitable. And that thought alone, of its
deadly cuts in my tender flesh, the surging pain, the deep bruises
that ached and throbbed for hours and were sore to sit on for
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