"GERALD !!!!!" went that stentorian voice again. "How dare you make such an outburst? What is the meaning of such behavior? My goodness, I'm ashamed of you.. I want you to apologize to Mrs. Smythe this instant!"

"I will not apologize!" Gerald shouted, jumping to his feet. "I don't want to be a girl! I don't want to be a girl!" He covered his face with his hands and wept. don't care what you do to me; I want my trousers back!"

"I

#1 GERALD! COME HERE THIS INSTANT!!!" his aunt commanded.

His aunt's anger had a quieting effect on him and his rebellion seemed to drain from him. He minced meekly over to where she was seated.

"I

he said.

000

I'm sorry for my outburst, Aunty!"

"It's too late for that now. As long as you choose to throw a childish tantrum like the one we just witnessed, you must be treated exactly like a child and punished like one. Please arrange yourself over my lap immediately!"

"Oh, please, please, Aunty, don't do it in front of Mrs. Smythe! I'll die of

shame, I know I will. I'll simply die of Please don't do it!

pure shame. me, Aunty, please!"

Forgive

His aunt grabbed his arm and drew him roughly down over her lap, pushing his rustling, swishing skirts up about his waist to expose his plump girlish bottom encased in its dainty silken covering.

Raising her hand, she brought it down smartly on the quivering flesh, bringing a scream from Gerald's tightly compressed lips. Again and again he hand rose and fell as he frantically kicked his legs, his hands vainly trying to protect his flaming bottom from her assault.

Finally, she released him, pushing him from her lap. He hastily pressed down his skirts, weeping uncontrollably.

"You may go stand in the corner to contemplate your outrageous behavior, Gerald," his aunt commanded.

Gerald moved slowly toward the corner, hands reaching under his skirts in an attempt to soothe his burning bottom.

"My dear," gushed Mrs. Smythe. "That little scene was priceless! I wouldn't have missed it for the world! What a pity my

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