that might be required of her.
Therefore she decided that she must recover the use of her limbs; one of the reasons why she found walking so exhausting was because of her size so she decided to take cold baths to help reduce her weight, to eat a little less—although this was torture to her—and to hunt more frequently. She had always hunted from childhood so this was no hardship.
In her condition she was, of course, unable to ride on horseback and she had had a chair made which was just big enough to hold herself and this was set on high wheels and drawn by one horse. In this she followed the chase indefatigably.
These efforts combined with her determination to improve her health for the sake of her son, had their effects. She was able to walk when her gout and dropsy were not too painful.
She and George would sit together for hours discussing their boy. The child was often with them and was fond of them. They watched him anxiously and were very concerned because of his difficulty in walking straight; it was a perpetual topic between them.
One day Anne said to George: “Something must be done. He is still walking as though he were first learning. He is like a child of two in this respect.”
“I know, I know,” murmured George.
“It grieves me. Do you think there is anything we can do about it.”
“That we can do?” repeated George.
“Do you think that he is not making enough effort to walk?” George was thoughtful, his head on one side. “It might be possible.”
“Then, George, we must make him walk straight. We must make him walk without the aid of his attendants.”
“How so?”
“By …” Anne winced … “punishing him if he does not.”
“Punishing our boy?”
“It is going to be more painful for us than for him, but if it is the only way …”
“If it is the only way …” murmured George.
“George, you are his father. You must do it. You must take your cane and beat him if he will not walk alone.”
“I … beat our boy!”
“I shall feel every stroke, but if it is the only way …”
George looked as though he were about to burst into tears but he murmured: “If it is the only way …”
Anne was determined. She sent for the boy. He came to them, kissed their hands in his grown-up way, but with him were two attendants who walked beside him to steady him and to keep him from swaying from one side to another.
“My dear boy,” said Anne. “Papa and I want you to walk without help. You are old now, you know.”
“Mama, I cannot.” A fear came into the boy’s face. He wanted to explain to them that when he tried to walk alone he was so giddy that he feared he would fall; and when an attendant walked on either side of him, that kept him straight and prevented the giddiness.
“You must, my son.”
“But I cannot, Mama.”
“Papa and I think you could if you tried.”
The boy was for once unable to explain what was in his mind. How could he tell these people who had normal heads what it felt like to carry one which was top heavy and would not allow him to walk as they did.
His face was set in obstinate lines, but all he said was: “No.”
Anne ordered the attendants to stand back. “Now walk,” she said.
“No,” said the boy.
“Papa,” said Anne signing to George.
The boy saw the cane in his father’s hands and looked at it in some astonishment. He could not believe it was intended for him, for never before had he experienced anything but kindness and indulgence from his parents.
“Walk,” said Anne.
He stood there looking at her.
Then he felt the cane across his shoulders. He started with horror that
“Walk,” said his father. “Walk alone.”
The cane descended again and again across his shoulders; and suddenly he was aware of the pain it inflicted.
He cried out and began to run … straight out of the room … alone.
George and Anne looked at each other.
“My poor, poor darling!” cried Anne. “But you see, George, it was effective.”
