“Not at all,” Father replied. “In fact, if Lucille isn't obedient to everything you tell her, we'd expect you to give her a licking.”

“Now there's one other point,” Mr. Raleigh continued. “Is Lucille strong and healthy?”

“She ain't been sick for a long time,” Mother spoke up, “and she's strong enough to do housework, the same as me.”

“I'm afraid,” he said slowly, “that it would be best to examine her.”

“You mean-undressed?” asked Mother.

Mr. Raleigh nodded, while I shrank back, looking at him horrifiedly. He said, “There's no need for her to feel strange about it. She wouldn't feel strange about undressing before you, and as her guardian I shall be taking your place.”

When my parents seemed to hesitate he drew his checkbook out of his pocket and uncapped his fountain pen. That settled the question for my parents; to them, money was far more important than their daughter's modesty.

“Lucille, go over to Mr. Raleigh,” directed Father.

I wanted to protest it. It seemed bad enough to know they were willing to turn me over to him with the privileges of him whipping me as they themselves had done so many times, but to know I had to get undressed and let him examine me seemed entirely too cruel.

“Did you hear me, Lucille?” Father demanded. “Now you look sharp when I speak to you, young lady, or I'll get the strap and teach you some manners.”

And Mother added: “You mind your father's wish and do what he tells you, or I'll take off my slipper and give you a good taste of it before he takes you out to the woodshed.”

Having been trained to always do exactly what they said, and seeing that they intended to make me submit to practically every request Mr. Raleigh made, I bowed my head and walked obediently over to where he sat.

“You must learn to be a good girl, Lucille, and mind what you are told, so my first duty as your guardian will now be to put you over my knees and give you a spanking,” Mr. Raleigh said. “Now take off your dress like an obedient little girl.”