The Owls of Gloucester

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‘Do you want to be beaten again?’ asked Brother Frewine quietly.

‘No, no!’ they cried in unison.

‘Well, that is what will happen if I report this to Brother Paul.

You know what a dim view the Master of the Novices takes of any laxity or disobedience among his charges.’ The monk looked meaningfully at the two boys. ‘You also know how strong an arm Brother Paul has. When someone has once been flogged by him, they rarely wish to invite a second punishment. Yet the two of you seem to be almost imploring a further touch of his rod.’

‘That is not so, Brother Frewine,’ said Kenelm quickly. ‘Please do not report us to Brother Paul. Punish us yourself, if you must, but do not hand us over to our master. He is ruthless. My body ached for a fortnight after his last chastisement. It was vicious.’

‘Brother Paul was only doing his duty.’

‘We will do our duty from now on,’ promised Kenelm, turning to his companion. ‘Is that not so, Elaf?’

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