63

by a large piano which stood on bowed legs. On the opposite side there was a phonograph with a shelf of albums above it. I acquired the habit of coming up here often to indulge in private music sessions. Just as I was getting into a reflective mood Barbara burst into the room.

"I want to use the machine, Orville."

"I'm not finished yet. You'll have to wait." "I will not, " she said. "I want to play these Cugat records Grandma gave me. I've been waiting to hear them all day." I didn't move. "You have no bus- iness taking over OUR phonograph," she added.

"You're a spoiled brat", I said, "as insolent and as spoiled as they come. What you need is a good spanking."

11

"Oh!" she gasped. "You dirty, no-account little pansy. She crowded against me shoving me against the wall. "Small stuff", she hissed, "Do you think for one minute that you are big enough to spank me?"

I caught her wrist and wrenched her hand. With the fingers of her free hand she sought my face.

"D---m you, Orville. Let me go! Let me go, do you hear", The album went crashing to the floor. Her long fingernails left their marks on my face. Seizing me by my curls, she snapped my head back as her eyes blazed savagely into mine.

"Here's something you won't forget for a long time, you beggar", she raged. She dragged me to the piano bench, still gripping my hair.

"Don't"I screamed, recovering my voice.

"Yes, Now let's see who is going to whim whom, you b-----d ̧"

She pulled me over her knee, trapping both my legs in hers. My dainty shoes slid off. I could hear footsteps running up the stairs as the first blows descended and Barbara hurried her actions determined that I should be punished in spite of everything.

"It won't do you any good to struggle or resist," she cried as she pressed down on the nape of my neck, "It will not help you."

"Harry pounded up the last flight of stairs and