MICHEL. Initiation of Jean-Luc being put to bed very early

MICHEL

Initiation of Jean-Luc being put to bed (very) early

Michel is 17 years old and lives with his mother, Elaine and his young half-sister 8 year old Viviane.  They have lived for a few weeks in a new neighborhood and the two children, the elder and the junior ones, as a result attend new schools.  Elaine imposes a strict discipline on her son, unlike Viviane who is not included. He must go to bed with closed shutters, curtains drawn and extinguished light at 7:00pm in the evening at the latest, therefore he is yet finished or go out or watch television.  In addition to that, he is often put to bed during the day as punishment, because he received bad marks, because he disobeyed and, generally and most unjustly, because of his young sister which, has many hours before sleep, can meet friends after dining and look at television until the end of the evening whereas her big brother has to sleep since 7:00pm or earlier.

There is no school on Wednesday afternoon.  This day, he is to receive a friend of class a little younger than him, Jean-Luc, to engage in assigned studies. The mother of Jean-Luc, Nadia, and his younger sister, 11 year old, Gaelle, are also invited.  During the lunch, Viviane and Michel argue and quarrel angrily in a heated discussion once more and, once more, his mother sends Michel to bed at once and under the victorious smile and mockery of his small and younger sister, who points out to him that it will already give the impression of malicious behavior to be in bed as a baby when his buddy comes!  Elaine adds ironically that since Michel will have to do his assigned studies in bed, Jean-Luc will have his office!  He protests in vain, whines, snivels and begs, but he must go up to his room, undress and go to bed in one of the childish nightdresses that his mother still obliges him to wear.  This one is white and pink with flowers blue pastel.  It is only 12:30pm. He feels beforehand, ashamed to be seen lying between his sheets in bed in the afternoon in a nightdress, punished at 17 years old like a small kid and by a sister much younger than him. He imagines the unbearable mockeries or the words of pity from him and the others. He holds back his impotent anger against Viviane, because of this girl he is punished once more!  He knows that his day of confinement is the result of his arguing and quarreling. Being punished means he will have to sleep for the night immediately after a light meal in bed.  He took all the same took precautions not to have to get out of his girlish nightdress in front of Jean-Luc.  He went to the toilet and put the material necessary to do the work at a distance from his bed.  

The guests arrive a little after 1:00pm. They are astonished to see Michel not present, as everyone is waiting for coffee. Viviane hastens to explain why her "big brother is already in bed because he was nasty and cruel with her!”  Gaelle has an outburst of laughter.  Jean-Luc bursts out laughing and their mother smiles surprised that such a big boy is still sent to bed as punishment at his age.  Elaine tells him that he has the age of a baby and that his behavior of a baby is appropriate for a childish punishment.  

She invites everyone to go to the bedside of Michel in order for the boys to prepare for studies and work. Bed punished Michel hears the steps and the voices, which approach, and the small cries and stifled, laughs of the young girls and the laughter too.  The door opens and his room is suddenly invaded by loud strong laughter. Elaine makes the introduction:  "Here is my unpleasant big boy!"  Nadia smiles again by greeting Michel:  "Hello, young man.  Then you were not nice with your young sister? Was your mum obliged to put to you to bed to punish you?"  His head still on the pillow, Michel is red with shame and is shy to answer satisfactory. "Hello Madam."  Jean-Luc is almost as embarrassed as Michel when they exchange a simple "Hello!" Gaelle stops her outburst of laughter in time to say, "Hello, I am Gaelle". In which he replies "Hello Gaelle".  She goes so far as to ask to him if he is pleased to be in bed.  "Not, at all.  I was punished!" That goes out as a cry of the heart that provokes a general laughter.  "This is not an impression that will go away.” consoles Nadia. "I find that a big boy of your age can bear to be in bed for the afternoon.  Moreover you are very well in bed.  You are very nice in your small nightdress!"  He reddens even more "You are charming. Your cheeks are matched with your bed linen!"  "You had only not to argue with me!” his sister comments ironically. "Oh you?”  She began to dispute him again.

His mother intervenes.  "Good!  The boys, you do your work.  Jean-Luc, you can settle in Michel’s office since it is lit. Viviane, you can go play outside with Gaelle.  It would be of no benefit to remain inside by a so beautiful afternoon, except if one is punished in bed, of course!  Nadia and I will get familiar outside with a good coffee. She adds one more time for the two boys "Do not drift.  Michel is punished.  He must have a light dinner in bed and then sleep!  Isn't this so, son?"  He is dismayed to have this announcement made so publicly for that reason, but as she does not make a point of worsening his case, he agrees:  "Yes mum.  One will have finished beforehand."  Jean-Luc confirms that the work is neither very long nor quite difficult and that they will have finished in an hour or an hour and half.  The boys do their studies and open the window and hear their young sisters play outside with other children who speak about Michel while making fun of him. Jean-Luc does not deprive himself any, either, which aggravates Elaine and annoys Nadia drinking coffee under Michel’s window. The mockeries of Jean-Luc are in turn encouraged by the conversation, which has gathered on the terrace, Elaine explaining to her guest the rules and the punishments imposed on Michel.    

 Elaine proposes to Nadia to remain for dinner and even for the night, Viviane and Gaëlle desire it. The two mothers decide to make an example of Jean-Luc.  Pretending that everyone remains at Elaine’s until the following day, Jean-Luc will thus join Michel in his room and that he will be punished and will sleep after teatime. Jean-Luc will have to make some preparations so much as not to disturb the punitive sleep imposed on his bed confined friend, the two mothers make known to him after having ensured themselves that their studies were met. There he remains stupefied.

It is even more still when Elaine opens the second bed installed in the room and requires Jean-Luc to undress, to pass to him the nightdress of Michel’s that she stretches over him and to put himself into bed immediately.  He points out that it is hardly 2:30pm, to what one retorts to him that their studies being finished, Michel must eat in bed and sleep immediately.  He still objects that he is not sleepy.  Elaine explains to him that he will have special milk that helps Michel to sleep early.  The boys take in bed, feeding bottles of hot milk and bowls of muesli, then toilet, and place chamber pots under the night tables. Lowered blinds and curtains closed by their mocking younger sisters in haste. Good night and a long extended sleep desired by their mothers and their younger sisters both who make fun of them and will continue to play outside until dinner then will be able to watch the television. The lit child monitor is turned on that requires absolute silence (since "Michel is punished!"), the light is extinguished and bed for the night at 3:00pm in the early afternoon. 

When two friends of their class, Christiane and Betty, come to see Michel and Jean-Luc half an hour later, Viviane has the pleasure of announcing to them that the two boys are in bed for the night and that they are already asleep.  What is not completely true is that Jean-Luc is drawn from his state of drowsiness from the hot milk mixed with the mélatonine which he drank in bed a little earlier, by recognizing the voices and laughter of his two friends outside, the worn out window was left open because of the good weather.  A puff of shame invades him with the thought of the mockeries of the girls of his class the following day. The breathing of Michel attests to that, for he is sound asleep.  

Between Elaine (E) and Nadia (N) the two women converse on the terrace by having coffee.  They are settled just below the lower part of Michel’s bedroom where the boys do their duties.  

N:  “I am really surprised that you can put your son to bed as punishment like that, during the entire day.  He is almost 18 years old!”

E:  “It is a question of authority and I am his mother.  He must obey me well.” 

N:  “I took note that he did.  What did he do to deserve to be punished?”

E:  “Oh! He again engaged in a verbal argument with his younger sister.  I know very well that she often causes it but she is 10 years younger than him.  I believe that he should be more reasonable than her, especially for a boy.  And as long as he won’t be reasonable, I will send him straight to bed.  It is the manner simplest and most effective to have peace.  And that benefits him as much as it does for us.”

N:  “That is not what he said a few moments ago.”  

E:  “Oh he is sure that he does not appreciate to be obliged to go to bed so early. It is a punishment all the same.  He is upset to be already in a nightdress and in bed while the kids of the neighborhood have fun outside and have a great day.  He is upset even more because his younger sister can remain up.  And moreover, today Jean-Luc was to visit him.  He had real shame because of that.” 

N:  “I understand.”  

E:  “You disapprove?” 

N:  “No! (She imagines Jean-Luc in his place. He would be surely worried)  

E:  “I suppose that your son is more reasonable than mine and that he does not deserve to be put to bed like a baby.”  

N:  “I do not believe that he is more reasonable, but I am surely not as strict as you.  The arguments with his sister are also frequent and annoying and if he were to go to bed each time, he might never get up!”  

E:  “I see.  I am less patient than you.  I do not want to be annoyed by an undisciplined kid, especially if he is already 17 years old.  To put Michel to bed has many advantages.  Not only is he punished, but he does not disturb us any more and he cannot do silly things during this time.”  

N:  “Because he does silly things?”  

E:  “He would do it if he could. He is easily causes it. I do not want him to go out in the evenings. Since he must sleep before 7:00pm all of the days it is no question.”  

N:  “At 7:00pm? Already at 18 years of age soon?  Doesn't he oppose it?”  

E:  “Oh of course! He complains about always going to bed much earlier than his friends and especially before his younger sister.”

N:  “How does he manage to sleep so early?”  

E: “Yes he has the habit for that. I put him to bed after dining and return from class. I require him to him take something when he must sleep since the afternoon because he is punished or because I do not want him disturbed.  I give him milk with the mélatonine, cough mixture or a calming herb tea, and if necessary, a suppository.”  

N:  “He does not look at the TV?”  

E:  “Not in the evening, in any case! I do not allow him to, except sometimes on a Saturday, according to the program and if he was really very wise during all of the week. In this case, I put him earlier to bed on Sunday. Elsewhere it is easier to make him sleep before the programs start than it is once he is looking at them.”  

N: “Well you are right it is true, but his sister?” 

E: “Oh, for Viviane it is different.  She is a girl and we are very close to each other. In spite of her age, she is more reliable and mature than her big brother.  She is sharp and more intelligent than him.  She is an excellent pupil.  She is allowed to watch TV as late as myself.  Moreover, she has artistic activities and physical events she must sometimes repeat in the evening.  With Michel already in bed, that enables me to accompany Viviane, the quiet spirit.  During this time, I know where he is and what he does.  Besides if I must leave earlier, I put him to bed earlier.”  

N:  “And how does he react?”  

E: “He knows very well that he has to obey, even if it is unjust.”

N: “If not, he will be punished, I imagine?” 

E:  “Yes! He will prefer to go to bed right away to avoid being spanked naked on the bottom than to pass one or two weekends completely in bed.”  

N: “You have authority, but what do his friends think about it?”  

E:  “With the high school everyone knew. At the beginning, some made fun of him but that did not last.  He received some of them at his bedside when he was punished during the afternoon and that they had studies to do together.  They were generally girls as they are more maternal.  They seem to appreciate the situation.”

N: “And Michel?” 

E: “He is always bothered. But I am sure that he feels no other choice. This is not the case with the other boys. He is at present much more ashamed, than he is in another school, there will be again reactions, but none worse. Fortunately for him, there are much more girls than boys.”  

N:  “Did you benefit from the occasion to advance the hour of his sleep?”

E:  “Ah no, not a question!  Because of Viviane’s schedules, I have had to delay the hour of his dinner.  He currently more often sleeps at 5:30pm to 6:00pm, than 7:00pm, and even earlier if it is needed. At the same time, I feel more free and at ease. Michel is prevented from going out and maintaining bad relations and, moreover, I do not have to be compelled by moral obligation. It is ideal.”  

N:  “You are lucky. It is not the case for me with Jean-Luc.”  

E:  “You hold that to him. You are his mother.” 

N:  “Of course.  But he is not accustomed like Michel.” 

E:  “Habits can be changed. If he remained a few times at my place, believe me well he would get accustomed to it.”

N:  “It would be good but?” 

E:  “But? Let us carry out a test. This afternoon, Michel must sleep immediately after his snack. When the boys finish their studies, let us go upstairs and tell your son that he will have to go to bed and sleep at the same time as Michel. You saw that there is another bed in his room.  I will invite you to remain for dinner and the night, as well as Gaëlle.  Viviane and Gaelle will certainly be happy.  I will explain to Jean-Luc that it is so that Michel is not awakened later that he must go to bed already.”  

N:  “Do you believe it?  But he does not have anything to sleep here?”  

E:  “Michel will lend him one of his nightdresses!”  

N:  “Jean-Luc always sleeps in pyjamas.”  

E:  “Still bad habits to change!”

N:  “Does Michel wear only nightdresses?”  

E:  “Since always.”  

N:  “The one he is wearing this afternoon, isn’t it rather for a girl?  

E:  “You are right. I hardly find any more for boys of his age. I always choose them for him.  They are much prettier and more comfortable than these dreadful pyjamas!  And it is more of a deterrent. He is less embarrassed to get up and to be seen in pyjamas that in a nightgown!”  

N:  “Oh, I see.  And it is true that it is as nice in bed.  Where do you buy his nightdresses?”  

E:  “At various places. I sometimes shop in a department store or at a friend’s who owns a lingerie shop.”  

N:  “Do you make him do fittings?”  

E:  “Yes, yes.  I take him along with me and he must be undressed to test. That amuses the sales women very much.”  

N:  “I can imagine, especially when he must remove everything.”

E:  “It is necessary that he try on all the nightdresses as he will wear them in bed, with a naked bottom!”  

N:  “It is true.  I would be curious to see how they would look on Jean-Luc.”  

E:  “Well, you will see it in time, do we agree?”

N:  “I agree, but him?”  

E:  “I will not leave him the choice. He will have only to open up his bed and to undress himself immediately after we go up, and then into bed, eat and sleep!”

N:  “Do you want him to eat in bed already?”  

E:  “Like Michel, yes.  It is logical.”  

N:  “Isn't it complicated to make him eat lying rather than at the table? If it is necessary to bring him a plate he is likely to overturn it. He is not accustomed to that either.”  

E:  “He will do as Michel, muesli in a bowl and calming milk in a bottle.”  

N:  “A bottle?”  

E:  “A feeding-bottle!  It is most practical for drinking in bed.  He can even remain lying on the pillow.  I already obliged Michel to take it when he is punished and when I want him to remain there stretched constantly. I tried out it personally.  That is very good!”  

N:  “I do not know what Jean-Luc will think!”  

E:  “It will not be asked of him.  He will have to do what we say to him!”  

N:  “But I am not sure that he will be able to sleep immediately.”

E:  “You will see.  Milk with mélatonine is very effective.  It increases and advances the need for sleep.”  

N:  “When Michel is punished and must remain quiet in bed all the afternoon or all the day, how do you supervise it?”  

E:  “First he cannot get dressed.  All of his clothing is confiscated.  He must remain in a nightgown.  Then with a key, he is locked up in his room. Moreover, I installed a child monitor that enables me to hear from downstairs any noises in his room.  Lastly, I check on him from time to time to see that he sleeps well or I send his young sister to check. She does it with amusement, a matter our two youngsters discuss a lot. They probably have finished their studies. What time is it?  

N:  “2:20pm!”

E:  “Can you ask your son where they are, since he is still up and that Michel is in bed?”  

N:  “Jean-Luc!  Jean-Luc!”  ( Jean-Luc comes to the window)

JL: “Yes, mum?” 

E:  “You finished?” 

JL: “Yes, Madam.  We did everything already.”  

E:  “Well wait for us with Michel.  We will come up.  Elaine and Nadia rise and go up to the floor.  Michel is sitting in his bed while Jean-Luc leafs through a comic strip in the office of his punished friend.”  

E:  “Then, boys you were quick. That’s better. In this way, we can organize ourselves for this evening and our invited guests can remain to dine and sleep.”

JL: “Is it true, mum?”  

N:  “Yes, my darling.  You, you will sleep with Michel.  There is another bed in his room, do you see?” 

JL: “I agree, but I do not have anything to sleep in.”  

E:  “We will make arrangements for you do not fear. Besides you will settle yourself immediately.”

He is surprised, and does not understand immediately.  Michel’s mum opens a cupboard for a pale yellow nightgown with stars and the crescents of the moon.  She stretches it  Jean-Luc. 

E:  “Here. This should suit you. It is just a little too tight for Michel but you are a little younger.”  

JL:  “But?? What?  Why??” 

E:  “It seems to me that it is clear! Undress yourself, slip on this nightdress and get into bed.  I will open it up, it awaits you.”  

JL:  “But, mum! Must I go to bed now?”  

N:  “Yes, my darling.  You know that because Michel is punished this afternoon, you will take a light meal and sleep immediately.  It is not necessary that you disturb him later.  It is for that reason that you must already lie down.”  

JL:  “Oh? But it is the afternoon.  It is not even 2:30pm yet.”  

N:  “I know my big one. It is 2:20pm.  But you must go to bed all the same. Do not make Elaine wait.  And see Michel, as he is wise.  He was already in bed at 12:30pm and he is older than you.”  

JL: “But he is being punished!”

E:  “You risk being punished also if you do not obey. Isn't this so, Nadia?  Go! Get in nightgown and to bed immediately!” 

The tone is without retort. He submits himself despite the presence of the two women and Michel who smiles ironically, stretched out on his pillow.  Nadia takes the clothing and underclothing as her son removes one by one. As Elaine holds his nightgown, he hesitates before removing his underwear.  

N: “We know what a boy is cherished one. Let go of your manners.”

He is very naked and red as a peony when he takes and pulls on the short nightdress that Elaine tends to him.  It stops just short of his thighs.  

E: “Look here it suits you well.  You are absolutely ravishing. You wear it better than a girl.”  

N:  “It is true, my darling.  That suits you much better than pyjamas!  You are as nice as Michel.  We have a good reason to put you to bed so early.”  

JL:  “But, it is not me that wants it!  I do not ask it and I particularly do not desire it! On the contrary, it annoys me enormously! I am not punished. I am neither sick nor tired, I am not sleepy. Of the whole it  is considerably beautiful outside.  I finished my studies and I wanted to go out afterwards. Gaëlle plays with Viviane during this time and I already have to go to bed.  I will not be able to even look at my play this evening on the TV.  Gaëlle is a girl younger than me and will be able.”

E:  “Here is a typical macho speaking. I want!  I am tall!  I am a boy, not a girl!  Is my   younger sister privileged? I know it by heart. This is what dwells on Michel. You deserve to be put in your place. And like a grumpy baby your place is in bed immediately like Michel.”

N:  “Elaine is right. You behave like a dirty kid.  I am too nice with you.  Then, now, obey and into bed!”  

JL: “It is necessary that I use the toilet.”  

N:  “Then, hurry!”

E:  “It is on the right while leaving the room, at the end of the corridor.”

He goes there while drawing on his nightgown from his buttocks, under the amused glance of the two women.  

E:  “You see, Nadia.  He is already ready for bed.”  

N:  “And it is not even 2:30pm in the afternoon!  I am a hippie.”

E:  “You note that it is not so difficult.  It is not necessary that he is agreeable to be put to bed, a big boy like Jean-Luc or Michel.  If we want it, he would be put to bed at any hour that is appropriate to us and as for a long time if we want it ourselves. Moreover, it is an excellent standard of folding back the idle chatter of these pretentious young ones, by disciplining and controlling them.”  

N:  “And to punish them like babies, too?” 

E:  Yes! There is no more of an effective punishment for them. To be in bed in the course of the day and to have to sleep whereas others are up, they are not only bored and annoyed because they are secluded from going out and of movement; they are also embarrassed and ashamed, especially when both girls and younger children remain up and make fun of them. Isn't it youngster?”

Michel finally expresses himself on the pillow.  He turned in bed to reply.  

M: “Yes, mum.  But today, it is because of Viviane!  She has again provoked me!”

E: “You always say that. See, Nadia, he has all the same frustrations. When you understand that a big boy as opposed to a small girl like your sister must be more reasonable than you, you will less often go to bed as punishment.  This is for you to see. I do not have any opposite problem with Viviane in any way as I point out that how you speak to her is the reason you are punished and because of you that your friend Jean-Luc is obliged to be put to bed also this early afternoon.”

M:  “Will he also eat in bed and take his bottle like me?”   

E:  “Yes, son and then sleep for you two.”  

N:  “Oh you regret maybe having finished your studies so quickly?”  

M:  “Oh as I am punished in bed for all day, I like as much to sleep immediately.”  

N:  “Even so early?  You are a good boy.  I hope that Jean-Luc will as be obedient as you.”

E:  “I also hope for you son. You said it, you are punished.  There will be no chitchat after eating, otherwise to bed all of the next weekend!”

M:  “It will be necessary to tell Jean-Luc!”  

N:  “I will tell him.”  

E:  “But if there is any noise in your room after I have extinguished the light, it is you who will be punished, do not forget!”

Jean-Luc is back.  He hastens to slip into the open sheets of his bed and to fold back the covers on him.  As his pillows are flat, he is resigned there to pose his head and to stretch.  He is conscious of the image of a subjected little child that he presents, but what else can he do?  

E: “Here! Wait for us wisely in your beds. We will return in five minutes with your snack. So take advantage to speak one last time between you. Afterwards, it will be complete silence until tomorrow morning!”

Left alone, both confined to bed boys exchange their impressions.  

M: “I am sorry for you.  I did not expect that.”  

JL:  “Me neither!”  

M:  “Does that annoy you much?”  

JL:  Ah yes a lot!  It is the beginning of the afternoon, the weather is nice outside and I am not absolutely sleepy! And you?” 

M:  “For me that does not change anything.  I am already in bed since 12:30PM and I must sleep since then. And then sleep often comes to me.  I think that for you, it is new!”  

JL:  “Completely!  This is the first time.  Even as a kid, my mother never sent me to bed   early.” 

M:  “Even in punishment?”  

JL:  “Even in punishment; my sister yes, but not me. I am too big for that!”  

M:  “For me it is the opposite.  Viviane does not go to bed before mum and she is never punished. I must go to bed every evening immediately after dining and I am often punished because of her.  Spanked nude and put to bed!  This is a true plague. She always gives mum a reason and she benefits from it.  She even invents things that I did not do and puts me in my place. Then how do you feel? Your bed is good at least?”  

JL: “I have a good bed I am annoyed to be in bed already in broad daylight. It is only the beginning of the afternoon.  I was delighted to have had finished my studies and to be able to profit from it. It is irritating that this brat of a sister delights in being the cause of my anger, especially when she sees me in this girlish nightdress. I lack the appearance of malevolence. I feel really ridiculous to be in bed like a punished baby.  And in any case I have not gone to sleep at this hour. How do you succeed in sleeping so much this early?”

M:  “Mum administers to me special milk. You presently will have the same undoubtedly.”  

Elaine and Nadia enter then with the afternoon snacks for the two boys in bed. Each one has a bowl of muesli and a hot milk feeding bottle.  Jean-Luc is already confused and ashamed of being put to bed in a nightgown for the full day and that he has to drink his milk from a feeding bottle.  Milk and with the feeding bottle!  He puts himself at risk to protest while his mother assists him to be sat up in his bed. 

JL: “No mum, not the feeding-bottle.  I am 16 years old!”

N:  “Nonsense Michel is soon 18 years old and he drinks his milk from the feeding-bottle.  Elaine explained me that it is more practical in bed than a cup or glass.  It is perfectly right.”

JL: “But I do not know how to do it!”

N:  “I have just tried and you can do it alone. The babies do that well. A 16 year old big boy must reach that point still better!”  

E: “Your mum is right. And if you have difficulties, ask Michel.  He has had much practice. You have ten minutes.  Then you will wash your teeth, go to the toilet and you will go to bed.  One will come to tuck you in, lower your blinds, and close your curtains.  Ah, Michel foresaw and brought you a chamber-pot for the night for his friend.” 

Bowls and feeding-bottles are deposited on the respective night tables of each big baby in bed.  Jean-Luc had some more mouthfuls and finished swallowing his muesli, then shown himself to be completely skillful with the bottle.  Michel however finished before him and proceeds to the bathroom.  They cross in nightgowns in the corridor.  Michel carries a chamber-pot in each hand.  They exchange just a constrained smile.”  

Some minutes later, they are both put to bed. It is just 3:00pm, when they hear the scamper at the top of the staircases. The door swings opens and their two young sisters enter while laughing.  

V: “This is the hour of the sleep for the big brothers!”  

G:  “One comes to make you sleep.” 

JL: “What do you come to do here?”  

V:  “I just told you, to make you sleep.  Mum prepares dinner downstairs. She asked us to secure you for the night.  They will come to see you a little later, but you will probably be asleep already. Gaëlle, light the bedside lamp of baby Michel please!  I will descend the blinds and close the curtains for our big punished boys in bed.”

JL: “I am not punished!”  

G:  “But you are in bed like Michel.  It is well done!”  

JL:  “What did I do to you?”  

G:  “You always are the cunning one because you are bigger than me, but at the present now it is you in bed like a big baby who finished his feeding-bottle.  Well done!  Well done!”  

The blinds are lowered and the curtains closed, but the window is left open.  The two boys can hear from their beds the rumors of the outside, those of a beautiful afternoon. The room is dark other than the distinguished flicker of a bedside lamp.  Viviane tucks her big brother in bed and wishes him "A good long sleep in bed, brother" with a kiss on the face. At first hesitating, Gaëlle does the some with hers and then turns her back furiously to him. Before extinguishing the light and leaving with her young friend, Viviane strolls over and turns on the monitor and reminds the two boys that they should not get up anymore to neither speak or to make the slightest noise until the next morning of day.  Otherwise Michel will again be punished in bed.  She adds piteously that she would be ashamed in their place, to be put to bed like grumpy babies or ridiculous boys of their age, that she will relate it to all of the neighborhood while playing with the children in the vicinity (" The weather  is so nice out outside! "), that they will have a voucher to dine, (a clafoutis, [a baked dessert composed of a layer of fresh cherries topped with a thick batter], which Michel is crazy about! and that they will be able to watch a television game that Jean-Luc finds particularly appealing. Viviane extinguishes Michel’s lamp.  The young girls carry empty bowls and feeding-bottles and leave the room of their older brothers while screaming in funny laughter and with an ironic, "Punished in bed until tomorrow”, accompanied by a sign of the hand.  The door is closed, the key turned in the lock.  The young girls go back down while laughing. Shortly after, the two boys can stretch undisturbed at the far end of the bed at 3:00pm. The day is still long for almost everyone.  For Michel and Jean-Luc, however, it is already finished.  Before turning his back to him, Michel is satisfied to whisper "Good night, sleep well" to Jean-Luc.  

JL: “Good night at 3:00PM in the afternoon, it is ridiculous to a 16 year old boy.  Your sister is right. I am ashamed.”   

M: “Hush! One has no more right to talk now. With the monitor one listens to us downstairs.  I still do not want to have to stay in bed all the next weekend. Do you suppose that I do not have shame, too?  I am 18 years old in one month!  And do you think that I like that to be secured in bed all the afternoon because of this plague of Viviane?  But in any event you are like me, are secured in bed until tomorrow. Then, also make like me.  Keep silent yourself, turn over and sleep!” 

JL: “Good! We agree! Good night.”

He turned over in his sheets in silence. Anger, antagonism, annoyance and humiliation exist in him.   He can feel nothing other than his naked skin in a ridiculous nightgown and under pink sheets on a normal sunny afternoon, he can’t think of anything else other than the snickers of Viviane and Gaëlle, with the mockeries of the kids of the neighborhood, to the sun outside, to the dinner of which he will be deprived, to the televised game that he will not see this evening. He does not see the obscurity around him, He does not hear the silence of the room around him where he is kept, and he does not feel the lukewarmness of the bed where he is confined. A state of inactivity nevertheless invades him little by little while a little light of this sunny afternoon pierces through and that the uniform breathing of Michel’s rhythm is peaceful.  The milk of the feeding-bottle starts to take effect.  He would want to endure, not to submit himself. One put him to bed against his will, like a baby, he does not want to believe that he accepts it while falling asleep already.  He is not as obedient as Michel and quickly resigned, fleeing in sleep his condition of a big baby. His powerless rage, despite its efforts, lessens, fills out, and fizzles.  A light sleepiness settles itself, growing heavy. It feels better, it feels good.  His bed is a cloud that takes him while diverting towards the paradise of his dreams.  An angel speaks from afar, with a voice of girl, a known voice that worries about Michel and him.  

Voice: “I am Betty. Christiane and I come for Michel and Jean-Luc.  They are our class friends.  They must do their studies together.  We would like to compare them with ours.”  

V: “Michel is my brother.”  

G: “Jean-Luc is mine.  They finished their studies but?”

V: “We have has just put them to bed for the night.  They must already be asleep.  

B: “In bed? At 3:15pm in the afternoon?  What did they do?”  

V: “Oh, my brother is punished.  He quarreled with me again during lunch and mum put him to bed to sleep.  Jean-Michel had to go also because of that.” 

B: “He also quarreled with you, or his sister?”

G:  “Not me! Mum, Jean-Luc and I will stay this evening and night at Viviane’s.  My brother shares Michel’s room.”  

V:  “Yes and as Michel is being punished, he must sleep immediately.  Mum did not want Jean-Luc to disturb him, so it is for that mum already put him to bed also, so that they both sleep at the same time.” 

C:  “They must seem fine, two big boys of their age, already to sleep as babies.”  

B:  “Yes.  I did not know that one could still be punished in bed, without dining, at 17 years, especially boys by their mum!” 

C:  “Did they sleep without anything to eat?  

V:  “They had to eat just before sleep.”

C:  “Ah?  The big babies took their afternoon snack in bed?”

B:  “They also did their studies in bed?  

V:  “Michel, yes, since he was punished and had to undress and put to bed immediately after lunch.  Jean-Luc was with him in his office.  He remained up while they worked.”

C:  “Did both mums put them to bed only after eating?”  

G:  “After the feeding-bottle, it is we, the younger sisters, who put our big babies to sleep by tucking them in, closing their blinds.” 

B:  “I regret having missed that!”   

C:  “The feeding-bottle? Really?”  

V:  “Yes, yes. Really!  It is simplest to drink one’s milk or tea in the bed.  Michel must always do that when he is in punishment or when he must go to bed before dining.”  

C:  “He goes to bed before dining?”  

V:  “When mum wants that he goes to bed earlier, yes! That is not every evening unfortunately.”  

B: “Is he so troublesome before that?”  

V: “He argues all the time at the table!  He believes that he knows it all, that he is more cunning because he is a boy and that he is bigger, and then he wants to be always right.  He is jealous of me, too.  When he argues, mum must put him to bed to have peace.  If he is already resting in bed, I can at least eat quietly and I can discuss with mum.  I can have what I prefer as much as I want without his animal remarks.”  

C:  “And him?”  

V: “He is upset, it is clear.  He goes to bed while whining and sniveling like a big baby that he is.  If he still did not eat anything, I go up with his bowl and feeding-bottle for him and then sleep!”  

B:  “He must be upset even more if it is his small sister that brings to him to eat in bed, and a feeding-bottle, moreover!”  

C:  “Which makes him sleep then?”  

V:  “It is true. In his mind I am the cause, but I don’t care! He is in bed like a baby, not me! It is more upsetting for him, when I go up with a girlfriend of my age to help me to tuck him in and sleep, and that she bursts out laughing by already seeing him in a nightdress and in bed

B:  “Ah, because once more, he goes to bed in a nightdress?”  

G:  “Yes!  A pretty nightdress! I saw it a few moments ago.  My brother will wear one this afternoon.  It is one of Michel’s that his mum lent to him!”  

C:  “It's a pity that they sleep already and that we cannot see that!”  

B:  “We have come because of the studies that they completed. We need them. Could we see them?”  

V:  “Their studies?  I don’t know.  It is necessary to ask mum.”

Viviane calls Elaine, who appears and explains the situation.  

E:  “I agree!  Viviane will accompany you among the boys.  Do not make noise and try not to awaken them.  After their feeding-bottles, they must be already asleep.  Moreover that would be better for them, I informed them! Since you know what you seek, I think that you can find it yourselves.”  

B:  “Of course.  Thank you, Madam.” 

Jean-Luc is coming out little by little from his drowsiness by recognizing the voice of his friend Betty and that of Christiane.  He could not follow all the conversation through the lowered blinds and the drawn curtains, but he understood that they knew he was in bed this Wednesday afternoon and that they would not fail to speak about it in class and make fun of him.  In the confined bed, Michel seems to be in a deep sleep. The idea that he should be asleep as well does not comfort Jean-Luc.  The girls do not intend to go up silently. He moves suddenly when a sharp light penetrates behind him with the discrete opening of the door.  He is turned over while blinking his eyes.  He recognizes Viviane and, on her steps, Betty then Christiane, an ironic smile on her sly lips and a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.  At this moment, he would have liked to disappear.  He would have even desired to sleep like Michel, rather than to face the mocking glance of his two friends. But it was too late to simulate sleep.  The visitors speak in a whisper.  

V:  “Here are our big babies in their beds! Ah, I see that baby Jean-Luc is awake.” 

C:  “Eh, foolish baby Jean-Luc!”

He is stunned and senseless to react, looking at his friend leaning on his bed, smiling with her lips and brilliant eyes. He can only murmur "Hello, Christiane!" 

B:  “Hello, Jean-Luc or rather good night.  Make only sleep.  We just came to seek your notebook. Tomorrow morning I will return them to you, after you’re awake. Sorry to have woken you.  

JL:  “I did not sleep yet.”  

C:  “You saw, Betty, his nice nightdress of a young girl!”  

B:  “Of course. It is ravishing and is appropriate for a girl.  Michel is also darling in his.  Rose and white with flowers, he chose it well.”  

V:  “It is not his, it is mums. There is the work of Michel and those of Jean-Luc.  Take what is necessary for you.  Michel starts to be agitated.  He too is likely to awaken. We will leave those two punished to fall asleep again.”

His friends are diverted by Jean-Luc stretching in his sheets to the point of arising. They find without sorrow the documents that they need. Michel emits a vague sigh and half-opened his eyes before being put again under his pink sheets and in his white pillow.  Betty and Christiane have some fun while smiling.  

C:  “Hey does your big brother take his punishment well with philosophy?” 

V:  “So much better for him and for us. We are grateful for peace at last!”  

The two visitors take leave of Jean-Luc already stretched on his dormant pillow and a half.  In his bed, Michel seems sedated, slackened, eyes closed and breathing regular.  

B: “Good.  These are what we need.  We will not have to do any more but to recopy.  Thanks to you wee can make use of our afternoon and evening.  We have an appointment at the "Carambar".  It's a pity that you cannot come with us whereas your studies are done!  But since you are consigned to bed, you will tell Michel that we came and saw him in bed whereas he slept already.”

JL: “But you know and that annoys me!” 

C:  “I understand, that would annoy us also very much!  But it is so much better for you.  Good night, big baby.  Make beautiful uninterrupted dreams.”  

B:  “It is good big baby that you are simply punished in bed. Here!  Sleep, young man.  And thank you for all of the work finished. We will review tomorrow morning. At least you both will be quite rested.”    

JL: “By tomorrow. Have fun!”  

C:  “Promised!  If there is time we will also think of you with staying in your beds!  Hold.  A small snuggle for the night on the face.”  

B:  “Me too, on the nose!”

For Jean-Luc, he resists the pleasure in shame. His cheeks turn pink as much for one as the other. Viviane tucks in the two big boys again before rising under the interested and amused glance of the two visitors.   

V:  “See the monitor Jean-Luc! It is time for you big boys like you to be quiet, rest and go to sleep immediately. Good night.”  

JL:  “Good night, Viviane.  

V:  “Good night for me is much later! I will still play outside with Gaëlle and my girlfriends; I will have a good dinner and will look at your play on TV. I do not have to go to bed like a whining baby! It is only for stupid foolish big boys like Michel and you.”  

JL: “I did not do anything.  It is only Michel who is in punishment.”  

V:  “But you are also already in bed and it is essential that you must sleep like him. Close your eyes and make sleep now!”  

Betty and Christiane leave followed by Viviane who closes the door and turns the key again. Darkness and silence reign again.  Michel does not express any sign of agitation nor of awakening.  He always turns the back on the bed of Jean-Luc.  This time, he does not try any more to resist.  He closes the eyes as Viviane ordered and is invaded by a pleasant torpor. He drowses for an instant before falling into the deep sleep from the melatonine on which a 16 year old boy had from a good hot milk feeding-bottle. The remainder of the day passes by without Michel and Jean-Luc, sensibly sedated in their beds, in punishment for one, by imposed solidarity for the other. Their young sisters played in the garden with children of the neighborhood. They laughed so much already knowing their big brothers were in bed for the afternoon.  Betty and Christiane recopied their studies, relaxing in the "Carambar" with girlfriends curious and extremely amused by the childish treatment imposed on their two class mates. Their mothers made some races downtown together and while returning, in the company of Nadia discussed some matters for the night and the following day.

No pyjamas for Jean-Luc already confined to bed in a nightgown of Michel’s, only replacement clothing for the rising.  Everyone dined at 7:00pm, then evening television for everyone from 8:30pm to 11:00pm.  Then to bed at 11:30pm, 9 hours after Jean-Luc, and 11 hours after Michel were put to bed as punishment at 12:30pm.  Some impromptu visits to their room allowed their satisfied mothers and their triumphing and mocking young sisters, to make sure of their obedience and the respect of their obligatory and advantageous rest to bed. 

Both bed confined boys are released at 6:30am the next morning.  Their chamber-pots are empty.  It is a sign that they really slept very deeply.  They take a shower-bath, to get dressed and make their beds before breakfast.  They undergo at the table of course the half smiles and the stifled laughs from their two sisters.  Nadia appreciates that Jean-Luc showed himself to be obedient. She finds him in a much better mood and better rested than the other mornings.  The two mothers spent the night together in Elaine’s bed and spoke amongst themselves from then on.  

E:  “That proves that your son should go to bed as early as mine, isn't, Nadia?  It is effective and advantageous for all boys of this age, in full growth, pretentious and not yet wet behind the ears.  I am sure that what is good for Michel is also for Jean-Luc.”  

N:  “It is true, darling.  You slept like a baby until this morning.  That shows that you require more sleep and that one was right to put you to bed immediately yesterday afternoon.  It was not awkward for you, since you made sleep almost immediately and that you neither of you awoke in the afternoon nor night.”  

JL: “But I could not leave with the others and I missed my play on the television. Throughout all that, I did not deserve to be punished like Michel!”  

N:  “No worse, nor so better! I prefer that you are confined in bed to get your rest, instead of drifting outside with those I do not know which to make I know what or to tire you for a whole evening for no significance in front of a television screen!”

JL: “But Gaëlle and Viviane they could? And they are still little girls.”

G:  “Don’t kid yourself, big baby!”  

V:  “He is jealous!  He is jealous!”   

N: “Yes! You are jealous. I’m sorry that Michel and you were in bed while the girls and the others appreciated their day. This should not cause you to be resentful. I did not say that you were not upset for a boy of 16 years to be already undressed and into bed for a full day, whereas children much younger than you are still gathered together for countless hours.  I only said that this is not awkward since you were resting and that you slept during this time. Understand?”  

E:  “Well, Nadia.  I see that we agree! This is essential to speak to a boy of this age as it is the way it is to be!”  

JL:  “Yes, mum, I understood. But they were so obliged to put me to bed for the entire afternoon and it was boring to have to remain there for the day as if I was being punished! Even more Betty and Christiane came and saw me in bed and in a girl’s nightgown still!”  

E:  “And then?  You have shame?  This is quite normal, that is what. But it is not significant.  Michel has also shame to be in bed so early in the evening and to be spanked bottom naked and punished in bed as a baby when he is foolish and when he has does not have good grades in class.  That does not prevent me to continue to put him to bed every day after his dinner and to put him to bed as punishment each time it is needed, like yesterday afternoon.  He has whined and sniveled in vain that it is not right and that he is too old for that, but his behavior proves the opposite.  Moreover, he has only to obey me!”

Michel is satisfied to redden and lower his head.  Viviane, she approves while laughing.  

V:  “Michel is a big disobedient baby who annoys me all the time.  It is fortunate that mum punishes him when he baffles me. And fortunately he must be put to bed early for the evening.  We finally at last can have peace after he is in bed.”  

G: “Jean-Luc does the same thing with me!  It's a pity that he should not have to go to bed like your brother.  Yesterday, it was so swell to see him put to bed early. I was really satisfied!”  

N:  “I was satisfied too.”  

E:  “If I understand fully, there is only Jean-Luc himself which was not. But with the majority of the votes against him, it would be better that it is made apparent as it is already considered. What do you think about it, Nadia?  There is only the first step that counts.  He is annoyed, do you not believe?” 

N:  “Let us test.  Let us try this as you suggested yesterday evening, just to see!”  

Jean-Luc is on his guard. Michel, Viviane and Gaëlle were intrigued in mockery, Elaine and Nadia smiling.  

E: “We will speak about it again at mid-day. Everyone will lunch together here today. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

When Michel and Jean-Luc arrive at the school, Betty and Christiane are already there, discussing with friends. They oblige the two boys while laughing sheepishly.”

B:  “Then, babies, slept well?”  

C:  “You must be well rested, I suppose.  Are your visits to bed finished?”  

B:  “Did you fold well your nightgowns and arrange them under your pillows?”  

C:  “Yes, so that you find them to turn over to sleep.  It is soon, so Michel’s young sister told us.”

Michel is red with shame and Jean-Luc of anger.  

JL: “Michel is obliged to go to bed early in the evening, but not me.”  

B:  “Too bad!  You are so nice in a yellow with stars and moons nightgown.”  

C:  “For us, if you do your studies before sleep so that one can then copy them and go out evenings with a quiet conscience, it is perfect.  You do not have to worry about us! You are very well to have to go to bed early, even at 3:00pm in the afternoon.” 

JL:  “I really do not hold to it!  Once is enough!”  

B:  “However you seemed very drowsy when we saw you in bed yesterday.” 

JL:  “I know, I had drunk something which makes me sleep.”  

C:  “It is true.  Good hot milk in a feeding-bottle!”

Everyone bursts out laughing, except the two concerned ones obviously.  Jean-Luc feels covered with shame and reddens even more.  Michel keeps his obstinately head lowered.  Betty points out to him.

B:  “I see that you are acting as you did yesterday in bed.  You try to make yourself forget. It is you however who was punished to have quarreled with your young sister.  It was because of you that Jean-Luc was put to bed also early in the afternoon.”  

M:  “It is not I that required it.  It is my sister who wanted it, and mother also agreed.  And then yesterday, I really slept when you both came in my room.  I did not hear you.  Moreover, as I was in punishment, I already had been put to bed two hours before Jean-Luc.” 

C: “Here are your books, big babies.  Thank you very much.  You worked well.  Thanks to you, we could leave earlier and gained a great deal of time. You amused us well, and you also made our girlfriends laugh in the "Carambar", when we told them that two big boys of your age were punished to bed in nightgowns for the afternoon and were obliged to sleep after a feeding-bottle until the next morning!” 

JL: “It is not my fault.”  

M: “Nor mine.  It is because of my sister, this small plague!”  

B:  “You, you were not in bed by chance!  Your mother had punished you!  That would not have taken place if you were nicer with your younger sister.  Well done for you!?  In any event you were both perfectly ridiculous. Darling and ridiculous!  In any case, I do not regret having seen that.” 

C:  “Oh, me neither!  It is true that they were ridiculous and ashamed for big boys as them to be confined to bed in a full day with a light girl’s nightdress, but I found them especially nice. They were ravishing in their small nightgowns in pastel colors and touching in their pretty pink sheets. I still see them as if they were there and I prefer them in bed like yesterday rather than allowed up and dressed as they are right now. I hope that it is provisional.  They are much more interesting and pleasant to see in bed!” 

B: “Mmm Yes! Finally I agree. To see them undressed and asleep punished in bed and both of us upright and close to them. It was rather pleasant and even exciting enough!”  

C:  “What I understood, Michel will soon return to bed!”  

M:  “Only this evening!”  

C:  “This evening, actually, it is immediately after your dinner.  That is what your young sister explained to us.”  

B:  “And sometimes even before. At what time you do dine?”  

M: “Mmmmh?  That depends uh, depends on my studies.  Towards 5:00pm!”

B:  “Ooooh?  5:00pm? It is really late for a big baby like you!  Your mum is generous with you!  You generally have the time to do your studies before sleep!”

C:  “And when you do not have studies?”  

M:  “Normally also after dining.”  

B:  “Always?” 

M:  “No. Sometimes I must go to bed and sleep immediately after returning from school.”  

B:  “Without dinner?”  

M: “Without dinner as yesterday.”  

C:  “Why so early?”  

M:  “When I am punished and when my mother arranges to go out earlier or to receive guests.” 

B:  “Your mum really takes good care of her big baby!  She knows how to do it fortunately. You are lucky! Rest, uniform hours and not being allowed to do any stupid things like that. The courses will start.  It is necessary to go to class.  We’ll meet at the table again at noon.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………

E:  “I hope that your two friends returned your books to you?”  

M: “Yes, mum! They also thanked us.”  

G:  “They also had to make fun of you, I imagine.  When they left yesterday, they had died of laughing to have seen two big childish fools as you already secured in bed at 3:00pm in the afternoon!”  

JL:  “Oh, they were not as malicious as that.  They were especially curious.  They asked us questions.  It is necessary soon to return to class.”  

It is the moment for their mothers to give instructions to the two boys.  

N:  “My big boy, you will remain this evening with Michel.  You will return with him after school. Viviane will come to our place with Gaëlle.  You, while you are at her place, will obey Elaine.  You will do what she will say to you, as when she says it to you.  I spoke about it with her and we agree entirely.”

E:  “I think that it is clear, isn't that right Jean-Luc?  Then, you will return here with Michel directly after class.  Directly, understood?  Then into nightdress and bed immediately!”

M:  “Me too?” 

E:  “Obviously, you big silly boy! You are the eldest one and the host of your friend.  You must set an example for him.  You would not like it that he goes to bed before you, all the same!  I want you undressed and in bed by 3:30pm! Both of you!  If only one of you is late, you will be punished together, in bed all day Saturday and Sunday, with a good smacked naked bottom for each one!”  

V: “Oh, yes, mum. Yes! Cheer!”  

G:  “I agree also. I approve.”  

E:  “You heard?  The girls agree.  I do not ask you make such a concern of it, only to obey, and for this evening, once in bed, studies, dinner and feeding-bottle, then sleep.  Bedtime is at 5:00pm at the latest.”  

N:  “5:00pm! You see, my darling.  It is not so terrible.”  

JL:  “It is nevertheless much too early!  5:00pm! Nobody has to sleep that early!  And even less to be already in bed at 3:30pm in the afternoon.”  

N:  “Yesterday you were in bed at 2:30pm and that passed very well!  You slept like a baby until this morning!  And then you had the company of Michel.  You will have to go to bed and sleep at the same time.  It is not so hard if you were the only one in bed.” 

JL: “Yes, but?” 

E:  “It is enough, now!  You will do what your mum and I have decided, if not?”  

V:  “Yes, Smack, smack on your botty and into bed all the weekend!” 

E:  “Perfect!  Viviane is right!”  

N:  “You see, cherished!  You had better calm down and obey nicely.  Or then, in addition to going to bed a little earlier than usual, you will be punished.” 

JL:  “A little earlier? At 3:30pm in the full afternoon?”

His mother slaps him round trip on both cheeks.  

N:  “Little impertinent!  Keep silent yourself and obey, agreed?” 

G:  “Well done!”  

JL: “Yes in agreement!”  

N:  “You promise?” 

JL: “Yes, mama? I promise it!”  

N:  “Well.  It is the hour to return to class.  I will not be there on your return, so Elaine will put to you to bed and make you sleep.”

She gives him a kiss and cherishes his cheek.  She continues.  

N:  “Here my darling.  Be a nice fellow.  Work well at school and do your studies before sleep.  You two, with Michel, will undoubtedly have finished more quickly.  I say to you good night already. I am sure that you will sleep like an angel until tomorrow.  Do not discuss it if his mum makes you dine and sleep a little in advance.  In all case, you will be already in bed, and then it will not matter. And say goodbye to Viviane and to your young sister. They will come on our premises after school.”  

G:  “Yes, but we will not go to bed after returning!  We will have fun together.  One will be able to use your electronic plays while you are lying there in nightgown. And then, you know what there is on television this evening? "Columbo"!  And you will be fuming needlessly of not being able to watch it because you must already be asleep for a long time before it begins. And like yesterday evening, you will miss your play as well. By the way, pity for you, it was enthralling. Poor baby!  Lastly, it is so much better for you.  Make a good long sleep in your new bed!”

V:  “Good-bye and good night, baby Jean-Luc!  Make beautiful dreams.  If you are quite wise, perhaps that you will be able to remain up for at least one moment during the weekend!  I forgot my big brother.  Goodbye and good sleep also, baby Michel!”  

The two boys grumble a vague "goodbye" with their mocking young sisters who leave while running and laughing in good spirit. They are still turned around to make a sign of ridicule of the hand.  Michel and Jean-Luc return to school, strongly opposed to the agenda that awaits them in two small hours.  

JL: “This is really boring.  In bed by 3:30pm! Do you realize?”

M:  “And how, that I realize!  Believe me, I know what it is.  I am obliged to go there more and more often!  Twice in the last week and last Monday!  And yesterday you were in bed as a punishment at 12:30pm. Moreover, still this afternoon.  I find that mum exaggerates for some time.”  

JL:  “You do not speak to her about it?”

M:  “She makes fun of me when I complain.  She says that I snivel like a baby and that I thus prove that it is right to put me to bed like a baby.  Finally, I am well obliged to obey her. I am her son. I live at home and she has the authority. She is not deprived to point out it to me!  Thus?”  

JL:  “You cannot do anything?”

M:  “No! And you could not do anything either if your mother decided in turn to put to you to bed early as often as mine.  Moreover, I believe that it is what they decided together.  They initially wanted you to remain on our premises, since it is already the practice for me for a long time.”  

JL: “I hope not!  Perhaps that it is only one exchange; Viviane staying at our premises and me on your premise.  And it is simply because your mother puts you early to bed that I must also go there, like yesterday.  You have just said that she had lately put you to bed several times immediately after school.  Therefore, today, it is no exception.

M:  “It is true.  Especially that I was punished yesterday afternoon.  She often sends me to bed early shortly after a punishment.”  

JL:  “Good.  That reassures me.  I will go to bed more willingly at present.”  

M:  “Therefore it is a lot better for you and me also to improve. I risk less that I am punished because of you, if you would disobey and protest to an extreme. Mum does not support that and I do not want to spend all the next weekend in bed as a punishment.  For today, in any event one will have to go to bed after returning.  One would not improve anything if he as much creates other problems and would not remain up a minute more.” 

JL: “I agree! I understood.  I will obey without protesting, so that you will not be punished because of me.” 

M: “I prefer that.  I grieve for you, but nothing more. I am like you, I would like to go to bed later, but it is not me that decides.” 

JL:  “You always had to go to bed so early?”

M:  “Since I began primary school, yes.  At six years of age.  I had to go to bed immediately after dining. I ate in a nightdress and then directly to bed and obliged to sleep immediately.”  

JL:  “While growing up, did you have permission to sleep later?”  

M:  “Not, never, on the contrary.  When my sister arrived, mum had less time to deal with and to supervise me.  She preferred to put me to bed earlier, and with me in bed, she did not have to be concerned about me, so she could deal with Viviane. When my sister started her course of dance and music after school, she had to dine later, after returning.  Mum often accompanied her because of the distance.  She then decided it would be the case, to make me dine and go to bed before she left.  It is there that I started to be prepared for the night from 5:00pm and even earlier!”

JL: “Thus you must go to bed even earlier than 6:00pm?”

M:  “Generally, yes.  Before I dined around 6:00pm and I was in bed at 7:00pm approximately, at some of the times a little earlier, other times a little later.  Today, I must generally dine before mum and Viviane because of the activities of my sister, and I am obliged to go to sleep immediately afterwards.  In this manner, they do not have to be concerned any more with me for the remainder of the evening and can do what they want, together or separately.”  

One will go to class for the courses of the afternoon.  The boys are again welcomed with mockeries.

B:  “Here you here.  You are not yet in bed?”  

C:  “It is true!  How is this possible?  You have to go at 3:00pm in the afternoon of course?” 

JL:  “Oh, no.  Not so.  3:30pm!” 

One laughs at his counterpart which one takes for a joke, but Betty has a doubt.  She tries to measure the boys continuously on the same tone.  

B:  “One would say that it was almost true. But yesterday, you were already in bed one hour earlier.  Would your mums have become so broad of ideas?”

M: “No, but as we have courses up to 3:00pm, it is initially essential to depart on time.”  

C:  “Therefore, it is true!” 

 JL: “Unfortunately, yes.”  

This time the laughter takes on more sarcasm.  They stop only because it is the hour of the first lesson of the afternoon.  It is finally 3:00pm and the courses are finished for today.  Some of the students are delighted, since there are a few studies for the following day and that time is superb.  For Michel and Jean-Luc, however, enthusiasm is moderate.  For they have only the right to go to bed for the remainder of the day. They do not have any another possibility but to decline the invitation to go with the others to a coffee bar that their friends will commence to have fun with them by ridicule. Christiane and Betty propose to accompany them "to the foot of their beds".  It is only a small detour from the swimming pool as was intended. The prospect embarrasses Michel less than Jean-Luc.  All the four however take together the way of the boys’ room.  One chatters on the way while walking quickly.  Christiane makes the remark to Michel.  

C:  “You seem to be quite in a hurry to return, by a so good of good weather.  You are bored already to sleep?”

M:  “Not, especially no!  But if one is late, the question of sleep will be quite worse for us, all the day in bed as punishment, both Saturday and Sunday. I really do not want to be held to it and Jean-Luc either, I imagine.” 

JL:  “Ah, no!!  That is enough of that!  Two days of being confined in bed since the middle of the afternoon, is already not funny.  Then a whole weekend, all of the day?”  

B:  “Most especially as I envision sunny weather for the weekend!”  

M:  “Then, with the chance that I have, I will be surely punished.”  

B:  “You believe that it is a question of chance or bad luck?  I think that it is rather because you are a big disobedient boy whose mum is obliged to treat him like a dirty kid who deserves to be put to bed early like a baby!”  

C:  “Well said, Betty!”

JL: “But for me, I do not have anything to do there.”  

B:  “You claim to be a nice fellow, or you are too big to be punished in bed for your behaviors of an unpleasant boy?”  

M:  “In any case, your sister finds that you annoy her as much as me. She said that it was well done for you yesterday, if you were already in bed at 2:30pm in the afternoon.”  

JL:  “It is only because she is jealous that I am bigger and extremely intelligent than she.  She cannot bear to be the younger one.”

C:  “Eh well, if only for this small utterance, I would send you to bed completely for a good long time!”  

B:  “Me too!  But it is not necessary.  We arrive.  Our so strong and intelligent big boys will be able to put their nightgowns on and go to sleep immediately.  In this manner, the babies will not have to be present with the young girls. They will be well with the shelter in their pink sheets and behind their closed shutters, while the little girls make their silliness of young girls between them, outside or in front of the television, and while the babies are bored and annoyed. With each one in their place, one should not at all mix.”  The sarcastic remarks of Betty are interrupted by the voice of Elaine, seated in the garden with three other women, two younger and one older.  

E:  “Here are finally those two youngsters.  I wondered whether you would be on time.”

C:  “They were accompanied so that they did not drift in way!”  

E:  “Then they can thank you.  You prevented them from being punished.  Isn't that true boys?  Now thank your friends.  And also say goodbye to them also, your beds await you.”  

M:  “Thank you girls.  Goodbye and have fun.  One will study tomorrow.”  

JL:  “Until tomorrow. We will not able to accompany you to the swimming pool.”  

C:  “Good night, boys.  You will go quickly to bed.  You will finish your studies and sleep. Fortunately, there is very little of it for tomorrow.”  

B:  “I hope that you will have all the same a good feeding-bottle before sleep.  Then, make beautiful dreams.  That is more important than the television.”  

E:  In any case, they will not have it in the least. And one needs to prepare, now. Do you go to the swimming pool soon?” 

C:  “Yes.  We will move swiftly ourselves in water while they will move swiftly to get in their sheets.”

E:  “It is well.  Thus, each one has the place that he/she deserves. Goodbye girls, enjoy bathing and good evening. As for you two babies, say hello to Janine, Helene and Sylvie, and slide into bed!  They will come up a little later to say good night, when I go up to make you sleep. The almost confined to bed boys greet the three guests politely in amusement and very much surprised of their destination.” 

 J:  “Hello?  For you, so that I understood, the day is already finished yet?”

M:  “Yes, Madam.  We must go to bed immediately; do our studies in bed and sleep.”  

H:  “You must be quite unpleasant boys to deserve to be sent to bed like that, in a normal afternoon.”  

M:  “I quarreled yesterday with my young sister.”

H:  “And you, Jean-Luc, What did you do?”

JL:  “I am not punished.  I must only go to the bed at the same time as Michel because I sleep in his room.”  

S:  “Ah you are his guest! It is true that it is necessary to respect the practices and the rules of his hosts.” 

E:  “His mum is my friend and she entrusted him to me for a few days.  He will benefit from it and I will instill upon him some improved principles made to order for a boy of his age. I do not find him not disciplined or regulated enough, and not rested enough. His mum also thinks that, as she appreciates my way of educating Michel.”

The boys excuse themselves and go up to their room.  They remain however for a moment still the center of conversation. 

J:  “An outward journey to bed early is appropriate to the training?”  

E:  “Absolutely.  Believe me, it is effective. It is preventive as much as repressive. It is repressive, because they hate to be punished in bed.  They have to be undressed and be put to bed early in shame, in view of younger kids familiar to them. They cannot do silly things or get together with bad influences. It is time to check where are two big babies are. Michel?”  It is Jean-Luc who answers at the window of their room, just above the garden where the four women are seated around tea and cakes. 

JL:  “Michel is in the toilet.” 

E:  “I hope that he is already undressed, at least.”  

JL:  “Yes.  He is ready.  He wears a nightdress.” 

E:  “And you?  Show yourself a little better, so I can see that you have your nightgown on. You do not have to hide yourself; you already said that it was ravishing and that you were nice with it.  I am sure that my friends are of the same opinion.”

The three guests approve while laughing.”  

E:  “Well you go to bed now.  I will come up in half an hour to bring to you something to eat. By then, you will have finished your studies.”

JL:  “Half an hour is not very long. I believed that we had up to 5:00pm.”

E:  “5:00pm was the latest, but earliest is best!  Your friends said that you had to make very little for tomorrow. Then you clearly will not continue to discuss this. I do not want you to waste time, so into bed and work!”

JL:  “Yes, immediately.”

He is withdrawn. He hears her in the garden speak with her friends about training. The guests of Elaine are at the same time surprised, admiring and are charmed by the situation.  

H:  “Eh it is good to see two boys of this age obey and go to bed at 3:00pm. Do many mothers envy you?”  

S:  “It is true.  How do you do it?”  

E:  “It is a question of authority, tone and consequence.  The stricter the rules are, the easier it is to make them respect.  One should never yield, on the contrary.  Even if I am sometimes too severe when I punished Michel wrongfully, I never change my opinion.  I never reduce a measure that I took, especially if it persists. In this case, I am rather accustomed to making it better and, if he protests too much, I put him to bed even earlier and for a longer time. It is rather a deterrent.”  

S: “I imagine.”  

J:  “Indeed.  I would not like to be obliged to go so early either.”  

H:  “Me neither!  I imagine that for boys like Michel and Jean-Luc it must be even more difficult. In their place, I would be truly ashamed to be put to bed like babies of 17 or 18 years.  And in a nightgown moreover, that one has just seen!” 

J:  “It is true.  Do you also oblige them to go to bed? In my opinion I present myself poorly to make boys do that for themselves.”  

E:  “Michel has always slept in a nightdress. I never allowed him pyjamas.  Today, at his age, one finds some for boys, but those for girls are very well, as you saw!  They are much prettier on them and comfortable in bed than dreadful pyjamas.  Michel does not want to acknowledge it, but I know that he prefers them too.” 

J:  “His friend too?”  

E:  “Oh, for Jean-Luc it is very recent.  His mother and I put him to bed early yesterday afternoon for the first time, with Michel who was already in bed as punishment.  I lent him a nightdress of my son’s, as it was too small for him.  He is one year older than Jean-Luc.  

H:  “Do they wear briefs below?”  

E:  “Of course not.  They must be naked on the bottom.  It is why they are more pleasant than pyjamas, and nicer!  They do not have anything other than their nightdress on while they are consigned to the bed.  Their other clothing is under key.  They would be much more constrained to rise without permission to be shown in a very short nightgown than in pyjamas!”  

S:  “It is true. They surely prefer to remain discreet in bed instead of ridiculing themselves in front of the others.”  

J:  “Especially if the others are friends or children younger than them.”  

S:  “Or of the girls!”  

E:  “You are right.  They do not appreciate that completely!  Yesterday afternoon, for example, it was their younger sisters who made them sleep after their feeding-bottles.”  

S:  “Feeding-bottles?”  

E:  “Yes.  It is much more practical for drinking in bed.  And it has a better flow, even for big babies like Michel and Jean-Luc. Jean-Luc was particularly embarrassed to have had to drink from the feeding-bottle and also be prepared to sleep by his young sister and that of Michel.  Michel is always opposed, but he has plenty of practice already.  He is always put to bed and obliged to sleep well before Viviane.  Moreover, he is often spanked bare bottom and punished in bed because he is not nice to her.  When it is she that brings to him his dinner or feeding-bottle once in bed, and closes his blinds and draws his curtains so that he sleeps, he is very upset. She does not deprive herself to make fun of him, especially if he is punished because of her and she is in the company of a girlfriend.  She tucks him in and embraces him before wishing him good night while it still daylight, whereas she can remain up, go outside, play with her friends and watch television. That upsets him very, very much!”  

H:  “I understand it.  I would also be upset in his place.  But I find that you are right.  You look after yourself and you look after him too!  I am sure that does a lot of good for him to rest longer and to sleep earlier.”

J:  “It is critical at his age.”   

E:  “Oh, with Michel, I did not wait until he is 18 years old!  I always put him to bed early, immediately after dining, and I always bed punished him.  I spank his buttocks also, but to stay in bed is more advantageous, for him, his young sister and me!”

S:  “Since he has to go to bed early, what time does he go? 3:30pm as today?”  

E:  “Not every day! For a long time, we dined around 6:00pm and he had to sleep at 7:00pm.” 

J:  “At his age, you made him sleep later?”

E:  “Not at all, on the contrary.  Viviane has to get ready for dance and swimming.  She has to be driven after school.  She returns sometimes later to dine and I as well like to accompany her, especially to the swimming pool.  In this case, I give dinner earlier to Michel and I put him to bed immediately and to save time, I generally make him dine in his nightdress and in bed.  Generally he must sleep around 5:30PM or 6:00PM.”

S:  “Every evening?”  

E:  “Yes all of the days.”  

S:  “Even on the weekend? 

E:  “Oh, the weekend his bedtime it is not so regular.  If he is punished, he remains in bed all of the day, on both Saturday and Sunday, and he must sleep for the night already after lunch. If he were well obedient and if he worked well during the entire week, I sometimes allow him to look at one moment of television on Saturday evening.  On the other hand on Sunday, I like to put him to bed earlier than during the week and to make him sleep after a feeding-bottle and without dinner.  Moreover, if I have guests, I prefer also to put him to bed beforehand. I do not feel compelled by a moral obligation and I don’t have to be at all concerned and avoid these tiresome quarrels in the company of his young sister.” 

S:  “And do you plan to soften this schedule?”  

E:  “Oh, no not for the world! As long as he will not be 21 years old, he remains under my responsibility and my authority, unless he continues to live at home, then he will continue to go to bed early and in punishment.” 

H:  “Do you allow him to read before sleeping?”  

E:  “When I put him to bed by day without being punished and if he does not have any more school duties, he can read or listen to the radio until dinner.  But once that he has eaten and drinks his feeding-bottle, it is immediate sleep at any hour. His blinds are lowered, his curtains drawn and the light extinguished.”  

J:  “And you are sure that he obeys?”  

E: “I installed a monitor, you know, the one that allows you to hear what occurs in a room of a child.  If he makes noise, one hears it downstairs and he knows that he will be punished.  Moreover, his sister or I from time to time check on him to see that he sleeps.. And I put mélatonine in his feeding-bottle of milk, which helps him sleep.  It is natural and very effective. With that, he easily makes a turn in bed without awakening, and even more.” 

 J:  “Therefore, he always obeys?” 

E:  “The last time where he disobeyed, it was during the holidays, one early afternoon after lunch when I put him to bed as punishment because he had not arranged his room.  After I had left with Viviane and he wanted to benefit from it.  There was a noise while returning, without him knowing it. While going up, I found his radio under his bed, along with a comic strip!  He was entitled to a good smacking bare bottom in front of Viviane and several of her girlfriends, and then he had to remain in the corner in his nightdress for one hour and put him straight to bed for 10 days. Since then, he did disobey any more.”  

S:  “In his place, I would obey too!”  

E:  “Eh well, let us see whether Jean-Luc and also Michel obeyed me today.  I will prepare and bring their afternoon snack to them in bed.  I hope for them that they will have done their studies well and indeed finished them. As it was made known by Christiane and Betty, it was a little thing, a repetition of German vocabulary.  By questioning their respective bed confined pals mutually, they saved time and knew their lesson at the end of fifteen minutes.  Jean-Luc had sat up, supported with his pillows, while Michel had remained stretched, leaning on the elbow of his right arm.  They had already closed their books when Elaine and her guests entered the room of the studious pupils so precociously confined to bed.  These ladies arrive while laughing wholeheartedly and while joking by the way "these young people are obeying in their nice pink sheets their girlish nightdresses.” 

J: “If I had a boy of your age, I would like him to obey his mum as well and, especially, that I can put him as early to bed as you.”

H: “I have one of them, but he would be too ashamed to be obliged to be put to bed like a baby and he would already find it completely ridiculous to be in bed at this hour and in nightgown, moreover!” 

S: “I have a ten year old girl who would be of the same opinion, especially for boys like you.  But the fact remains that I find that Elaine is right.”  

E:  “I do too. They are indeed ridiculous and ashamed, which it is quite normal.  But that does not change anything. Ashamed and ridiculous or not, they already wear a nightdress and are in bed. Then, youngsters did you do your work well?” 

M:  “Yes, mum, we revised all our German lessons.”  

JL: “Yes, Madam.  We questioned each other.”  

E:  “Very well.  That prevents me from punishing you and will enable you to sleep a little earlier.  You surely need some.”  

JL: “I am not tired, especially while sleeping so early already yesterday.”  

E:  “No need to be tired to have to go to bed early.  In any event, that does you a lot of good even if that annoys you a great deal. Be aware that if I did not compel you to undress and go to bed early, you would not do it.” 

JL: “Ah no then!”  

M:  “Me neither!”  

E:  “You see. Thus I am right. And then, in the judgment of your friends, you are compelled to go to bed earlier, it is not you who decides that. They are less ashamed for you all the same.”

JL: “The others make fun of us all the same.” 

J:  “Oh, it is not so serious! It is only necessary to let them comment.”

S:  “And laughter! It is unusual to be undressed and be put to bed so early at your age than at theirs. In your place, they would have shame and would feel ridiculous.  That is why they make fun of you.  And the more you are ashamed and how you react to their mockeries, the more they will make fun of you.  It is best is to explain to them that you simply obey your mums. You do not like it but they have the right to put you to bed as much and as early as they wish. You are well obliged to obey them, moreover!” 

J:  “We are very pleasant with you.  We bring your afternoon snack to you in bed; a bowl of porridge and a feeding-bottle of good milk for each one.” 

E:  “We will help you to sit up.”

They rest against their pillows propped up with the assistance of hastened visitors who discover by light how their nightgowns are, thus better for confined to bed boys.  

H:  “I acknowledge that it is a revelation. Your small nightdresses suit you as well as to girls, and perhaps even better!”  

E:  “Do not compliment them to much, for that will make them even more pretentious!” 

J:  “But that can make them appreciate to be in bed like babies.”  

E:  “If that were the case, they might like to be put to bed all the day, then how could I punish them in the future?”  

JL:  “For me no risks!”  

M:  “For me neither!”  

E:  “Perfect, bed punished boys! And then, yum yum and sleep!”  

S:  “Could we help to give them their meal?”

E:  “They are babies, but big babies.  They are able to eat porridge and drink from their feeding-bottles by themselves.”  

S:  “But would that please me.” 

J:  “Me too.” 

E:  “As you wish. Helene and I will return in ten minutes to make sleep for our two babies in bed.”

Janine sat down at the edge of Michel’s bed and attaches a baby’s bib around his neck.  Sylvie settles down at the bedside of Jean-Luc and in fact does the same to him.  

S:  “It is to better protect your so nice small nightdress.  It would be a pity to dirty it.” 

E:  “And not only for the nightdress, also for him.  That would be worth a smacking and a weekend of bed punishment, and for Michel too.”  

Elaine and Helene both depart. Bowls and feeding-bottles are deposited on each night table.  The window is opened wide and the sun of this beautiful afternoon floods the room of the two boys.  Michel’s bed is directly enlightened.  

J:  “Oh, you have the light in the eyes!  I will move to hide it a little. Is it better?” 

M:  “Yes.  Thank you Madam.” 

J:  “Open your mouth! Very well you!”

S:  “Hold Jean-Luc, good porridge before the bottle. One spoonful for mama, one spoonful for your young sister, I beg your pardon but what is her name?”

JL: “Her name is Gaëlle, Madam.”

S:  “A spoonful for Gaëlle, a spoonful for Elaine. One can ask some questions between two mouthfuls.”  

S:  “Is it new for you, young man to be already put to bed in the afternoon?” 

JL: “The second time since yesterday.”  

S:  “I suppose that annoys you a little.”  

JL: “Not only a little!”  

S:  “However, I find that you are very well like that in bed and in nightgown.”  

JL: “Personally, I would prefer being up, dressed and out with my friends from class and able to look at television this evening.”  

S:  “It would be a pity! I would not have sat at the edge of your bed to give you porridge with the spoon. Do you not appreciate that?”

The skirt of the visitor went up on her naked thighs.  Jean-Luc noticed and Sylvie observed that he also had noticed. She smiles. 

S:  “You see! To be already in bed he has also charm. He reddens like a peony in his pink sheets and above his pillows of pink and white.”  

S:  “Very well.  You match here with your bed linen!”  

Michel swallows the spoonfuls of porridge on his side that Janine gives him.  

J:  “You seem less opposed than Jean-Luc, isn't this so, Michel?”  

M:  “It is because I am accustomed to being in bed early.  But I am like him, I would like to be able to go out and go to bed much, much later.” 

J:  “But is she not all the same obliged to put you to bed early every day?”

M: “Fortunately not!  In theory it is only when I am punished.  Usually mum puts me to bed after dining.”  

J:  “Well you see!  It is reasonable.”  

M:  “In the beginning, yes. It was at 7:00pm.  But, now, mum makes me dine earlier and I am almost always tucked in for the night between 5:00pm and 6:00pm.”

J:  “It is not so terrible. The earlier you sleep is in all likelihood an advantage for Elaine. 

Thus you do not have reason to feel sorry for yourself.” 

M:  “It is for that reason moreover, mum often puts me to bed as punishment, sometimes all of the afternoon or all of the day.”  

J:  “She would not have to punish you if you were more obedient and reasonable.  You do not have shame at your age that one is still obliged to spank and put you to bed as punishment?”  

M:  “Generally, it is because of my sister.  She provokes me, and when I reply she cries and mum puts me to bed straight away. Sometimes she blames me for something that I did not do. Mum always believes her and puts me to bed as punishment.”  

J:  “Oh the poor big brother who is punished in bed because of his small sister who is ten years old younger than him!  You do not have any shame to justify your actions in this manner. This is a reaction of a small kid.  I understand why your mum spanks your buttocks and put you to bed like a baby, and why she makes you wear a feminine nightdress and why that suits you so well.  You do not act your age.”

He also reddens without replying to her.

 J:  “Well.  His bowl is finished and now your feeding-bottle!”  

They suck their teats confined to bed, while the improvised baby-sitters Helene and Elaine are waiting under their window above the garden.

E:  “Where are our babies?”  

S:  “They ate all their porridge.”

J:  “And now, they drink their milk.”  

E:  “Well, as soon as they finish, they will wash their teeth and make their needs. I will come up to make them sleep immediately. See that Jean-Luc does not forget to take my chamber-pot for the night!”  

J:  “You heard boys?”  

M:  “Yes, Madam.  I am finished and I now go to the bathroom.”  

Michel puts back his feeding-bottle on his night table, pushes back his cover and leaves his bed temporarily in his nightgown of white and pink.  

J:  “Ooooh!  Absolutely ravishing! Frankly I prefer you this way than fully clothed. By seeing you in your nightdress, I agree with your mum.”  

He obscures himself without anything to say while Jean-Luc swallows his last mouthful.  He hesitates to rise in the presence of the two visitors.  

S:  “Let us go, young man.  It is necessary to obey Elaine.  Quickly wash your teeth and go to the toilet.”  

J: “Do not forget the dirt of day! He is resigned to leave his sheets despite the fact he is drawing attention to his bottom from under his short nightgown, to the great amusement of the two women.  

J:  “You will not obstruct for us! You are as nice as your friend. You make me want to spank your naughty bottom. If I were your mum, I believe that I would do it!”  

Elaine and Helene arrive on the floor while Michel moves over to the bed, followed by Jean-Luc.  The three visitors burst of laughing at the sight of two boys, walking with heads bowed in their short girls nightdresses and each holding a chamber-pot.  Jean-Luc is embarrassed even more than Michel, because of the shortness of his childish nightgown of pale yellow as he tries to cover himself awkwardly with his free hand.  The boys slip again into their sheets.  Sylvie tucks Jean-Luc in bed and fluffs his pillows.  Janine does the same for Michel. Helene gathers empty feeding-bottles and bowls.  After having lit the bedside lamp of Jean-Luc, Elaine lowers the blinds and closes the curtains, then turns on the child monitor.  She orders both bed confined boys to prepare for sleep immediately.  She wishes them a good and early night, of beautiful dreams and a soothing rest.  She threatens them with a good smacked naked bottom and one whole weekend in bed in the event of disobedience.  She finally allows them to sleep for the night at 4:00pm in the early afternoon, extinguishing their lamp, in darkness, the door closed and locked. They have only a moment to hear the four women laugh about them in the garden before descending into a peaceful, deep sleep.

Aunty has decided I am available for light dusting duties and has arranged for me to attend her various friends houses dressed in my "Household Chores" outfit of pink brushed nylon pyjamas and a matching bed jacket.

A New Schedule for Jean-Luc

Sunday
I am 18 years old and I am going to live with my Aunt Helen and her children Danny, 14 and Edith, 9.
My mother warned me that at Aunt Helen's the discipline was a lot stricter than at home but that it would be necessary to obey since I was a guest. I was going to share my cousin’s room.
My mother and my young sister Gabby accompany me to my Aunt’s for Sunday lunch. After the meal, Helen asks Danny to show me the school that I will attend the following day.
“Have a nice walk but don’t be too long. You know that you must go to bed early on Sundays,” she says to her son.
We are back one hour later.
“Well. Danny, take your cousin into your bedroom and help him to get settled. Then, put yourselves to bed immediately.”
Danny protests that it is not even four o’clock and that he hadn’t eaten yet. I am rather stunned and explain that I am not tired. Aunty Helen reminds Danny that as it is a Sunday he must go to bed earlier than during the week Since I am to share Danny’s bedroom I must got to bed at the same time, 18 years or not!
“No arguments off to bed!”

Mum tells me to do as I am told and not to argue. Meanwhile Edith has a large smile on her lips and my sister Gabby looks pleasantly surprised that I have to go to bed early.
“I will come with Gabby to say goodbye and good night after we eat,” adds mum.
I follow my cousin to our room. While I unpack, Danny folds back the sheets of his bed. I am taken aback to see him putting on a pink full length flannelette girls nightdress, he explains that Aunt Helen would not buy him pyjamas and that she insist he wear nighties. During the week he must go to bed after dinner, but because this Sunday it is already past dinner time he must go straight to bed as he has school in the morning.
I put my own rather babyish pale blue rocket ship pyjamas on and am astonished to discover we must deposit our daytime clothes in another room before sleeping. Danny explains it is to prevent him and now me from being tempted to get up once we are in bed.
Aunt Helen and my mother enter the room with Edith and Gabby giggling behind them. I am embarrassed at being seen by them dressed only in my rocket ship pyjamas and blush.
“You will use your potty if you need to go tinkle during the night”. Aunt Helen tells me.
I look bewildered as Danny thrusts what appears to be a baby’s potty into my hand. It is made of pink plastic. His, I now notice stands at the foot of his bed. It is like mine only pale blue.

Danny also confirms to me that Edith is not subject to the same bedtime rules that he is. She is allowed to stay up until after ten.
I can hardly believe we are in our beds at five o’clock of the afternoon. After half an hour I am wide awake, the sunlight prevents any chance of sleep. Then Edith and Gabby enter the room carrying trays of cereal. They place the trays across us as we are told to sit up in bed. Laughing, they attach bibs around our necks. I watch with stupefaction as my young cousin places a baby bottle on my nightstand.
“It is milk with honey and melatonin to help you sleep well, you must drink it all up like good little boys.
For Edith, this routine appears to be normal. I realise she is often put in charge of supervising her big brothers bedtime.
For Gabby, it is a new experience humiliating me this way. The girls watch as we eat our cereal and drink the milk from the baby bottle. Danny acts as if all this is quite normal. At first I refuse to drink from the bottle but Gabby threatens to tell mum and Aunt Helen and having been brought up to obey grown ups, I meekly comply.
Mum appears and announces that she and Gabby are leaving. I watch as Gabby closes the shutters and pulls the curtains shut.
“Goodbye, my poppets. Gabby and I are going to leave you now. Promise me you will obey your aunt and work hard at school. This baby monitor will let your Aunt Helen know if you and Danny talk in bed so you better behave. Now, go straight to sleep. You will find an early night will refresh you come tomorrow morning.
She kisses me tenderly and says goodnight to us both. They leave, locking the door behind them.
Monday
I am playing table tennis with Danny in the garden when, at about half past five, Aunt Helen orders us to prepare for dinner at six o’clock. I again don’t know what she means but I am appalled as Danny explains we must be dressed ready for bed before we can eat. Danny goes upstairs to put on his nightie. I challenge my Aunt about this ridiculous rule.
“Aunt Helen, Danny says I must put my pyjamas on before I can eat. That can’t be correct surely.
“Is Danny getting ready for bed?” She asked.
“Yes,” I replied, “he is putting his nightie on.”

“Then, you should do the same as him! Your mother and I have already told you.  You must obey the same rules as your cousin; even though you seem to think you are too old to do as you are told. Now go and put your pyjamas on at once.”
I reluctantly obey and find myself coming downstairs to dinner at six o’clock dressed in my pyjamas alongside Danny in his girl’s nightie.
I am surprised to find myself eating with another young girl. It is Astrid, a neighbour and friend of Edith’s. Edith explains to her that Danny and I will be going to bed as soon as we finish eating. Embarrassed, I quickly finish and start to leave the table. To my dismay Aunt Helen reprimands me for my bad manners and makes me return to kiss her and the two girls goodnight!
Tonight, it is Edith who supervises our bedtime. She arrives accompanied by Astrid. The two girls close shutters and curtains, switch on the monitor and turn of the ceiling light before locking us in.
“Sleep, big babies,” Edith shouts to us sarcastically. To be eighteen years old and to be put to bed at quarter past six by two nine year olds is frustrating and very embarrassing, especially when one can then hear them playing outside and laughing whereas one is already in bed for the night.
I find that I am sleepy. Me, who usually goes to bed at midnight, Milk, honey and melatonin seem efficient for making one sleep.

The following Sunday, it is Jenny; the girlfriend of Danny, who helps put us into bed immediately after our baths and  dinner. Not having any clean pyjamas, Aunt Helen made me put on a pink floral pair of hers! Aunt Helen says she prefers boys to wear soft feminine nightclothes as this makes us less boisterous and soothes us and that I must wear feminine pyjamas henceforth.  We hear Aunt Helen, Jenny and Edith go downstairs. Danny, acting out of character, quietly opens the shutters to watch by the window.  A neighbour noticed us and spoke of it to Aunt Helen who announces the following day to us that we will be punished
“Since you did not go straight to sleep last evening you both will go to bed immediately after school.” She announced on Monday morning.
“You will also, as a further punishment spend Wednesday afternoon in bed.”
Wednesday, we eat lunch in our nighthings, Danny in a long yellow flannelette nightie, myself in a pair of ludicrous blue floral girls pyjamas, then we are sent straight to bed. The most embarrassing thing occurs. Danny receives a visit from two girls from his class at school. It is not the first time they have found him tucked up in bed, but they are surprised that I am also bed punished. (And in feminine night attire!) They remain until Edith brings us our milk and tells them it’s lights out at four o’clock.
During the New Year’s Eve holiday, my mother and Gabby have come to visit. Much to my surprise my girlfriend Nadine was with them.
One particular afternoon Danny and Jenny plus Nadine and I were watching television. Edith and her friend Astrid were also hanging about.
Aunt Helen appeared and announced to the girls that it was our bedtime and she thought it would be a good idea if Danny and I were put to bed by themselves.
Danny protests, and I am more than upset to be put to bed at four o’clock in the afternoon by Nadine, my girlfriend. At least Jenny allows Danny some privacy to undress and to get himself into bed.
Nadine however, takes great delight in putting me to bed. She folds down my bed and takes my pyjamas from beneath the pillow. She insists on undressing me and slips my pink pyjama top around my shoulders and watches me step nervously into my pyjama bottom before tucking me into bed.
Jenny declares that she has better thing to do than baby-sit “two big babies in bed” and declares that she wants to return to watch television. Nadine agrees with her and kisses me night-night and tells me to go to sleep before we are once again left locked in our darkened room.
My worst punishment was inflicted on me because of my actions one Friday evening. I had been allowed to drive Aunt Helen's car to take the four of us to the movies. I dropped Danny and Jenny off and then Nadine and I went for a little drive around, just the two of us. Afterwards we picked them up and I drove back as if nothing had happened. Of course, once again a nosy neighbour of Aunt Helen’s had spotted us.
Aunt Helen was furious and decided to punish both of us even though Danny was blameless. She said he should have told her what happened when we returned.
Before lunch on Saturday, she made us go up to undress then to come down naked!
This time aunty handed us both very childish little girl nighties, I was given the pale lemon one and Danny the pink one. Once we had put them on aunty had to turn us around and fasten the little buttons at the back of the nighties meaning we could not take them off unaided. We then had to raise our nighties and were spanked on our bare bottoms!
For Danny, it was not the first time he had been punished this way but for me it was a new experience. We were made to stay in the corner our hands on our heads and with the hem of our nighties tucked into the collar exposing out poor red and sore bottoms for everyone to see.
Then at lunchtime we were sent to bed with a bottle of warm milk to drink in bed like babies. Before we were tucked in for the long night Aunt Helen informs us of further punishments.
Danny will be sent to bed early for a week and must stay in bed the whole weekend and the weekend after.
For me, it will be sterner. I will be sent to bed early for four full weeks.
That means straight to bed immediately after school. Bed punished the whole of Wednesday afternoon and the entire weekend from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. Usually I am allowed up until half ten or eleven pm on Friday and Saturday night so I am not happy. Sunday is not so bad because I usually am already in bed by four o’clock in the afternoon.
Danny and I have both been bed punished after disputes with Edith because we either monopolised the table tennis table one Saturday morning (She says!)  For that we were put to bed until Monday morning

Year-end holidays:
Christmas day, just before lunch, Danny refuses to lend his new electronic game to Edith. She cried of course and Aunt Helen tells him to go to bed. He protests vehemently up to the point that Aunt Helen pulls him by the ear to our room.  She makes him come down again shortly in his nightie and spanks his bottom in front of the whole family then sends him to bed.
At tea time Aunt Helen says I must take Danny his baby bottle up and one for myself, as I must also go to bed, at four o’clock on Christmas day! I put on my new Christmas pyjamas, they are white with Teddy Bears on them and I am so ashamed to be wearing them and drink my milk in the bedroom out of view. It is only three twenty-five when we bring back our empty bottles, wearing nightie and pyjamas respectively. Before going to sleep for the night, we must kiss and hug our guests, Aunt Helen, mum, Gabby and Edith goodnight!
They wish us “good night, little babies” sarcastically and we go to bed amid the laughter and the jibes of the women.
Aunt Helen reminds us again that we must brush our teeth and take our potties up for the night. She orders lights out immediately and prohibits us from chatting. She will supervise us thanks to the baby monitor. For us, Christmas ends at four o’clock.
Various:
At the start of the summer holidays we are sitting having a meal in the middle of the afternoon. Aunt Helen tells me that on Sunday’s our bedtime is as early as when we are at school and to go with Danny and put our nighties on.
Even though I promised mum to obey and respect Aunt Helen’s rules I protest that it is too early to go to bed in the summer and that I am not at all sleepy. However she becomes annoyed and threatens to spank me if I do not obey. Danny and I go upstairs to put our nightie and pyjamas on
He tells me this always happens during the summer months. I learn it is Aunt Helen’s usual bedtime timetable that must remain valid during summer time. Danny reminds me that we must still put our day clothes in another room and of the monitor that enables Aunt Helen to ensure our obedience. We are not allowed out of bed, to talk or even listen to the radio without her knowing. I am now well used to Edith and my sister Gabby making sure we take our potties to bed with us. Used to the girls closing the curtains and locking us in our room.
Often, Edith will shout down to her friends, leaning out of the window, looking at a beautiful clear blue sky, she will confide to her young friends that her brother is being put to bed and then tell them that her cousin is also being put to bed early even though he is eighteen and it is the summer holidays. She boasts that she and my sister are both younger than us but that they are allowed to play out in the sunshine.
“ Oh they must go to bed like babies,” she tells them as the girls all laugh. We can hear this conversation as we lie tucked up in bed.
“It is three thirty, time the babies were asleep and we can come and play until late.”
Cheekily she and Gabby will kiss us goodnight on the forehead. Gabby doesn’t fail to humiliate me.
“Good night, big brother, you really look so young and babyish in your little girls pyjamas, you deserve to go to bed so early! Holidays are great for playing outside for us, I hope that the noise we make won’t stop you from sleeping!”
I am too ashamed to retort. I turn my back without answering. Edith extinguishes my night-light and I hear the key turn in the lock. Danny and I exchange a whispered “Good night.” It is only half past three. Before sleeping, I can hear the girls playing outside.

On Tuesday morning, we annoyed the girls while they were playing. My Aunt reacted to Edith’s protests.
“Is that all that you two can find to do? To bother girls younger than you! Go and get your nightclothes on at once I'm sending you to bed, immediately!”
It was only ten o’clock in the morning. We went upstairs with bowed heads. Once we are tucked into bed I ask.
“ Aunty, is it necessary to close our shutters?” The answer is categorical.
“You are being bed punished! Therefore, you lie down immediately and go to sleep!
We remain silent and somnolent until lunchtime, then, our small sisters bring us trays in bed with obvious satisfaction! We must bring down our trays before going back to bed for the rest of the day.
The same thing happens when we monopolise the table tennis table. Before getting into bed for the day, I notice Edith, Gabby and the other kids leaving by bicycle!
Seeing me, Gabby shouts. “Go to sleep, nighty-night boy’s!”
Edith adds “Yes, with you in bed we don’t need the table anymore!”
The other little girls wave “goodnight” and move away laughing.
In fact, in the afternoon, in my dreams, I hear mingled with the laughter of our sisters and their girlfriends, the ping-pong sound of a table tennis ball.
The following morning, we simply watch the girls playing. I am content with observing whereas Danny, always vexed at having being bed punished because of his sister, applauds every point she loses. That irritates Edith, of course she complains to Aunty and we are sent back to bed. Although for my part I was innocent I did not protest because I know that it is useless. As we had already been punished the previous day, Aunty gave us a spanking in our room, in our nighties. The open window allows the girls to hear everything and the applause of the girls clearly indicate that they can discern the noise of a naked palm on naked behinds!
One rainy afternoon, so as we do not antagonise the girls, Aunty puts us to bed after eating lunch. We had in this case permission to read in bed until our tea. Then, it was bed for the night.
Aunt Helen put us to bed early when there was guests in the house.
When Edith had some of her friends around one afternoon. She even invited them to accompany her when she bought us our trays in bed and to tuck us in!
Danny was especially upset for he had planned an afternoon out with his girlfriend.
Instead he was lying in bed wearing his nightie. The window was, for a change open, I read a detective novel while Danny listened to the radio.  Edith entered our room in the company of two of her friends. She demanded the radio. Of course he didn’t want to lend it to her.
“You have a lot of cheek.” He shouted at her. “ It’s because of you I am in bed, you could at least allow me to listen to the radio!”
Of course she stormed off to complain to her mother who, as usual, immediately intervened in her favour. Aunt Helen came up with two baby bottles of milk.
She spanked us then said.
“If you are asleep, you won’t need a radio! Drink your milk, brush your teeth and I don’t want to hear a squeak out of the pair of you until tomorrow morning!”
She informs us also that we would be bed punished the following afternoon.
It poured with rain as we ate lunch at the kitchen table. We were already in our night things Aunt Helen decided our punishment was not sufficient, since we could not have left the house anyway due to the storm. To compensate, she consigned us to bed all afternoon the following day, this time with neither books nor radio!
I was 19 years old in August. It was a sunny Sunday and my mum and sister had come to celebrate my birthday. I hoped that on this occasion, I would not be obliged to go to bed in the middle of the afternoon.
I was wrong.

The birthday meal having been copious, Aunt Helen judged that no one would be hungry before the evening. After blowing out the candles on my cake. Aunt Helen ordered Danny and me to bed. Mum approved her decision immediately.
Among the gifts I had received was new pyjamas from my sister. Mum told me to go and fetch them so I could put them on in front of everyone and then wish my guest’s goodnight.
My new pyjamas were extremely feminine than even the ones Aunt Helen made me wear, and infinitely more childish. They were covered in motifs of Teddy Bears and Bunny Rabbits in a light pale pink colour and made from soft flannel. There was light elastic in the cuffs that were frilled and the pyjama top had a little Peter Pan collar that was also frilled.
Laughter and mock admiration of my pyjamas greeted me when I came to put them on and say goodnight. Edith bounded forward and said she also wanted to give me a present. It was a teddy bear to match my pyjamas! Mum laughed and made me hug the teddy bear as if I was a baby.
I had to kiss my small sister and my cousin to thank them and tell them how lovely and how pleased I was with my new pyjamas. Everybody was anxious to kiss me and to wish me “Happy Birthday” at the same time as “good night” at a quarter to two in the afternoon!”
Some of the women wanted to feel how soft the flannel of my new pyjamas was and I stood while they caressed the pyjamas feeling terribly embarrassed until Jenny, girlfriend of Danny, decided it was time we were in bed. She tucked us into bed before closing the shutters and curtains. Before leaving she kissed me again and wished me, “Happy Birthday and good night.”
I complained that Aunt Helen should have allowed me to stay up later on my birthday.
Jenny answered me severely by saying it was because, “You had beautiful gifts. You have been spoiled enough. Now, go to sleep in your lovely new pyjamas! Obey and show that you are a big boy!”

A Pyjama Punishment letter from PPM

Ever since we were married eight years ago I have always treated my husband as if he were an infant. It gives me great satisfaction that I have successfully regressed him to an almost baby like state and that, although he resents and despises his status, he can do nothing about it and endures his constant daily humiliations as he knows that without me he would end up in the gutter or worse.

Nevertheless, looking after my Babykins hubby is quite tiring and three or four times a year my sister Hettie invites us to visit.

During our stay Hettie takes it upon herself to take over Henry's regime completely and she treats him exactly like one would treat a naughty infant. 

She has a small, but serviceable baby's cot made up in her bedroom and it is here that, Babykins, as she  has comically named him, is put to bed each evening at six pm. She is most insistent that I relax and that she would, as she put it, “carry the burden for a while.” 

The bed is made up with infantile bedding, she has acquired a flannelette Thomas the Tank Engine duvet cover and pillowcase, after his bath, that she always supervises, she wraps him in a large bath towel, places his dummy in his mouth and lay two pairs of his most babyish pyjamas neatly on his bed.

“Now then Babykins, tell aunty which pair of jim-jams her big baby wants to wear to beddy-byes tonight.”


Poor Henry is usually forced to choose between a floral pair and a pair of his babyish pyjamas. She would cajole him into choosing a pair by pointing at the pyjamas, “will it be the pretty pink pair,” she would say, “or the sweet teddy bear pair?”

“Oh what a pretty choice,” she would exclaim whichever pair he reluctantly pointed at.
Sometimes, if he chooses a pair she does not really want him to wear she will say

"Do you know? Baby Babykins has chosen very well but I think we will save those for another night and pop you into the pink pyjamas with the pretty flowers on don't you agree?

Henry will  slowly nod his head, knowing that in reality he has no choice at all,

“Come along now let’s get you all ready for sleepy-byes time.” She urges enthusiastically, taking his hand and leading him to the changing table.

Hettie takes her time nappying Henry. She would put on thin latex gloves and use her hands to apply plenty of oil, cream and talcum powder. 

"We don't want our little Babykins to get a nappy rash do we?" She would ask him until he would be forced to slowly shake his head. 

She particularly enjoys milking Henry before he is nappied. His legs are elevated  and she will  begin to explore the area around his rosebud by circling it with her finger as she lathers it with oil and cream before penetrating it. 
She will probe gently and tentatively first before deepening her thrust until his prostate is located and massaged. Simultaneously Henry will become stiff with excitement and she expertly manoeuvres his tiny shaft until he sheds his supply of semen.

I am sure as a mature lady she finds this more amusing than anything sexual and I know for certain Henry feels nothing but sheer frustration and embarrassment. Once his milking is completed Hettie will envelop him in a thick towelling nappy and plastic pants purely for the humiliation and embarrassment factor. 

"Then now, little Babykins is all nappied weddy for beddy-byes isn't he?" She loved eliciting responses from him no matter how reluctant his reply was and she would persist until he answered.

 "Yeth Auntie," will come the almost whispered response before she laughs and tickles his tummy.

Henry would be pyjama clad with the same deliberate question and answer style. 

"What a lovely colour pink your pyjamas are aren't they?"

"Won't you be a cosy-wosy Babykins wearing these lovely warm jim-jams?"

"You love being buttoned up into your jimmy-jams don't you Babykins?"

"Babykins does love sucking on his dummy before beddy-byes doesn't she."

Each time Hettie waits until she receives a satisfactory response from the hapless  Henry before she continues. 

Eventually, when he is successfully nappied, pyjamaed and slippered she guides him by hand back to wherever I am sitting, whether that was indoors or, more often outside in the garden with friends of both mine and Hettie.

“Say night-night nicely now Babykins” Hettie will urge making Henry remove his dummy, as he goes around the group of ladies kissing each in turn goodnight and  enduring many cuddles and vocal admiration of his chosen pyjamas. Also much to his chagrin and embarrassment, Hettie makes him pause, turn and wave babyishly just before they disappear from view inside the door.

Once tucked into his cot she sits with him and reads a delightfully babyish bedtime story called “The Going to Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton. I can thoroughly recommend it, it's about animals on a boat that have to go below deck at bedtime to brush their teeth and put their pyjamas on. I sometimes stand in the doorway and listen as Hettie repeats this story every bedtime to Henry. It must irritate him immensely to hear the same story night after night  especially as she tells it with such enthusiasm and relish each time.



Eventually she closes the book and leans over the cot to kiss his forehead.

“Now promise aunty you will go straight to sleep like a good tired little Babykins,” 
Henry has to nod his head, as he sucks on his dummy.

“And there will be no more undoing the buttons of our jimjams will there or auntie will have to fetch the punishment mittens won’t she? ” 

His head shakes from side to side, Hettie became annoyed that his pyjamas were always unbuttoned each morning when she woke him, so she made him some special mittens that stopped him undoing the buttons. Henry hated the mitten so much that he soon learnt to keep his pyjama buttoned up.

“Goodnight then Babykins, of to sleepy-byes with you.” Hettie theatrically tiptoes away leaving the door slightly ajar in case “baby wakes up and needs a cuddle.” 

I will tell more about Hettie’s time with Henry if anyone is interested soon.

Ms Isabella Hackworth

Father and Son Bed Punished

This posting came about because Freddie, a loyal reader and commenter to the blog, had corresponded  with Luc Holly and translated the emails very well from the original french. They consisted of mainly chatty, anecdotal bits and pieces that I have strung together to form a narrative. Hopefully Luc, or whatever name he chooses to use, will re-appear and give us further insight into his early bedtime lifestyle as enforced by his wife and her family.
My thanks go to Freddie for persevering with this.


Dear Freddie

Thank you for writing to me.

Yes, we are still being bed punished by my wife Julianne and her family, in fact since we last talked she has intensified out humiliation. I have been given a stuffed animal for bed, it is a little dog with one ear missing. My wife insisted I thought  up a name for the stuffed animal although she rejected several suggestions I made until eventually I was made to settle on Poochikins. Jordan, my son, was given a little teddy bear and he was told he had to call it Teddikins. We also both been given babies rattles and a dummy each.Then a few weeks ago, our beds were replaced by cribs for adults.

My wife and her sister told us that since we behaved like little babies we deserved to be treated like babies. We now have several “babysitters”. The most frequent is my mother-in-law, Maryse. She is also the one who bathes us. She is very strict, she regularly puts us to bed very early and she smacks our bottoms for the slightest reason, such as forgetting to carry Poochikins or Teddikins when we are dressed for beddy-byes, perhaps because of a word out of place or some other perceived disobedience.

Sometimes it is even her young secretary Candice who is only sixteen, comes to tuck us into bed, usually when my wife and her mother are going out. They want to be sure that Jordan and me are in our nightclothes and tucked up in our cribs very early so we cannot misbehave in their absence. Although the secretary is very strict also.

In principle, yes we are made to go to bed at the same time, 6 o'clock at the latest, It so happens that when I am the one being given an all-day punishment, Jordan is allowed to stay up and dressed until four pm. In contrast, when it is Jordan who is being punished, I have to go bed with him and stay there,  with blinds down, curtains drawn, lights out and our dummies tied on so that there is no talking. Also if he is spanked for naughtiness then I am given a smacked bottom also as they say his misbehaviour is my responsibility.

On Sunday mornings, sometimes the twins, Agnes and Astrid bathe us before our bedtime while Julianne and Maryse are getting ready and before Candice arrives. What's more the twins don't hesitate to spank our naked and wet backsides, which really hurts and actually makes us whinge and cry.
One Saturday morning they had a competition as to which of them would give us the hardest spanking and make us cry the loudest. Jordan cried first but I cried loudest. It was Astrid who gave the hardest spanking. My mother-in-law was disturbed by the noise and came to see what the trouble was ending with Jordan and I being punished for making too much noise, we spent  the whole weekend in bed, to make it worse it was the twins who fed us our bottles of milk and spoon fed us our pureed food in bed before locking us up in our cribs in the dark.

Another time, one afternoon when Candice was bathing Jordan, (I had already been spanked and put to bed earlier by my wife for answering back and I was already tucked up hugging Poochikins and sucking on my dummy). The two of them were messing about in the bathroom. Jordan didn't stop throwing water when Candice told him to. She became angry and slapped his face then spanked my son who had really earned it. After hauling him out of the bath and drying him he was put into his naughty pyjamas, the pink frilly ones with bunny rabbits on. Jordan really dislikes and is ashamed at wearing those pyjamas, (I have a yellow pair), and he tried to resist being dressed in them. Candice pulled him by the ear, crying like a baby, to the living room where my wife and mother-in-law each gave him another spanking and put him in the corner making him hug Teddikins and suck his thumb like a baby as their guests arrived. Every female could see him in his girly pink pyjamas, clutching his teddy bear and sucking his thumb as he sobbed with shame and embarrassment. Then, when I was already asleep, I was dragged out of my crib to the bathroom to clear up the mess in the bathroom, putting right what my son had done. When I had cleaned the bathroom up my nightie was wet and Candice returned with my yellow frilly bunny rabbit pyjamas and made me put them on. I was taken downstairs and paraded in front of all the ladies there and put in the corner hugging Poochikins beside Jordan, the only difference being I was there with my dummy in place.
Eventually we were made to say night-night to all the ladies, they laughed at us and waved us bye-bye. “Hope you enjoy the long hours in beddy-byes you darlings”, they taunted.
Back up the stairs, Candice and mother-in-law spanked us before making both of us go to sleep.

My wife Julianne use to be my assistant in the office which I owned and ran. She was beautiful, ambitious, authoritative, determined and competent.Little by little, taking my place as boss. She accompanied me to negotiations with possible customers in another city  and we stayed in the hotel where the meeting took place, in neighbouring rooms. When we were negotiating with our commercial partners, she didn't agree with my arguments. After contradicting me several times, she excused us for "a few moments" and asked me to follow her. She was angry and told me off for saying such stupid things to our negotiating partners.
She asked for the key to my room at reception and made me go  up with her. I thought we were going to have further sensible discussions but instead, once we were in the room she told me, "undress at once, I want to see you into your pyjamas and in bed immediately!"

I was so taken aback that I neither spoke nor reacted. She was impatient and slapped me. "Quickly get undressed. I must go back to our colleagues to put right your stupid remarks and I don't want you under my feet."
I tried to protest, spluttering my objections which earned me another slap. I should have put my foot down there and then and fired her, instead  I started to undress like a naughty little boy who is ashamed and afraid of mummy’s anger. When I was quite naked, she handed me my pyjamas jacket. I took my pyjama top in a rather dazed state and I was shaking with fear and anger that I could not do up the buttons.
“Tsk, come here, look at you, as helpless a baby, let mummy help babykins.” She said in a sneering kind of way. She  then buttoned up my pyjama jacket for me then held open the pyjama bottoms too.
 “Come along,” she urged, “footsie into your jim-jams, that’s a good boy, now the other one. Clever babykins, there all ready for night-night.”

She pulled back the bedclothes, “Now, in you get, you are going to stay in beddy byes until I say otherwise. I shall lower the blinds and draw the curtains so that you can rest and sleep a long time. She moved  the sheets to one side and I slid in while she tucked me in. I tried to protest once more, perhaps on reflection a bit too late. “But I’m not sleepy.” I argued.
"That's fine. What's more, I am not putting you to bed because you need to sleep but because you are being punished for your behaviour.”
She picked up my things before leaving. "There we are. Sleepy byes time for the naughty boy. I am going down now to put right your utter stupidity . Believe me, it's for your own good. I am going to explain that you are unwell and I have had to put you to bed and that you are going to stay there for some time.”
So that was the very first time Julianne put me to bed for the afternoon As she was keeping my clothes in her room, I had no option but to stay in bed until we left. But she was right: she was much better at negotiating than I was and she won some really lucrative contracts for us. By way of contrast, I had lost all authority with her and as I was madly in love with her she got everything of mine: marriage, our home, the company and its presidency. Eventually she sold up and concentrate on the submission and obedience of both my son and me. So, I knew, before we were married that she was dominant, authoritarian and severe and that  my future was likely to be a bed punished one. To have to go to bed early each day is often annoying and embarrassing but it is an inconvenience that my son and I accept.

Luc

Naughty Boy Humiliated and Spanked By Strict Nanny

Peter barely looked up as Miss Kettering entered the room. He was in his favourite position, lounging lengthways on the sofa, his dirty trainer’s imprinting muddy footmarks on the fabric while the gel on his hair stained the sofa arm.
Robert turned lazily and gave the woman a disdainful stare. To Peter’s young eyes Miss Kettering was an old women yet she only in her early fifties. She was tall, over six foot and her figure could be described as matronly. She stared at the lounging Peter from behind her old-fashioned spectacles; her grey hair was severely tied back into a bun, clearly exposing the lines upon her face.
She wore a frilled white blouse fastened at the neck and draped loosely over the blouse was a grey cardigan. The fluffy woolen cardigan had two enormous pockets in which Peter imagined she kept out of date packets of mints that she would present to unsuspecting young children. Gazing down at her feet he was not surprised to see her wearing her pair of pink furry slippers that were perhaps, a little too well worn.
He turned away and resumed his slouched position.
His mother had no right to impose this woman on him while she visited his grandmother. Perhaps she had remembered the mess and the complaints from the neighbours the last time she had only been away; it had only been for one night but it had been a mistake to assume responsibility would make Peter act like the fifteen year old he was instead of a spoilt child.
‘I don’t know how long I will be away for,’ his mother had said, ‘your Grandmother is not at all well and I expect you to do as you are told. In fact I am confident you will obey Miss Kettering’s every wish.’ His mother has said rather strangely as she had kissed him goodbye.
‘Yeah right,’ he had sneered. As far as he was concerned Miss Kettering was there only to provide food and to keep his sister out of his way.
Peter was not well disposed toward his sister. His mother was always saying, ‘why can’t you behave more like your sister,’ and ‘your sister doesn’t get low marks at school.’
His sister had an annoying habit of looking down at him with a certain disdain that made him feel uncomfortable. There was another reason to avoid her, at fourteen Tara was already four inches taller than he was and she enjoyed teasing him about his lack of inches at break time at school and introducing him as her little brother to her friends to embarrass him
Still, he thought glancing at his watch, six o’clock on a Friday evening, time to go and meet up with his friends.
As he got up to leave Miss Kettering stood in front of him.  Until then he hadn’t realised how tall she was, previously she seemed to have shuffled around in her ill-fitting slippers.
Now that she was standing to her full height Peter had to look upwards to flippantly remark, ‘excuse me but I think you are in my way.’
Miss Kettering smiled down at him and putting one hand on his shoulder said,’ I think it’s high time you had a wash Peter, why don’t you go upstairs and get undressed and Miss Kettering will run you a lovely warm bath.’
Peter stared up at her, barely believing what he had heard. He made to brush past her, choosing to ignore her inane comment. As he made his move Miss Kettering slid her hand down his arm, grasped his wrist and sat down on the sofa. Off balance, he tottered sideways and fell conveniently to find himself draped over her lap. Peter was wearing a pair of fashionable combat trousers but they easily lost the battle with Miss Kettering as she lowered them to expose his bare bottom.
Peter struggled to remove himself from his embarrassing position but his arm was pinioned up behind his back.
‘Let me go. I will tell my mum on you!’
Peter’s childish retort made Miss Kettering smile. ‘Don’t you know it’s rude to tell tales,’ she said as she gave his bottom a swat with her hand.
‘Ow! Stop it that hurts!’
‘If that tiny slap hurt I’m afraid you are in for a shock pet lamb.’
She swatted his backside six more times with her hand. By the third swat Peter had been begging her to stop and writhing and squirming on her lap. Miss Kettering had paused the spanking but still held Peter firmly across her knee and she could hear him breathing heavily and quietly sobbing. ‘Are you regretting being so impolite yet Peter?’ She asked as she gently ran her hand across his bright pink bottom.
‘Yes I’m regretting it, not!’ Even though his bottom was stinging he had recovered a little of his bravado.

Miss Kettering removed one of her slippers and smiled at the watching Tara. ‘Oh dear,’ she sighed. ‘I so didn’t want to have to do this.’
Peter’s body lurched upwards the first time the rubber sole made contact with his bottom, so much so that it took all of Miss Kettering’s skill and expertise to keep him across her lap.
By the time the tenth one had been delivered Peter was a crying, sobbing, quivering wreck.
‘I …hate you both,’ he sobbed in embarrassment as he hastily pulled up his underwear and trousers before running out of the room.
Tara giggled. ….
‘Did you manage alright dear?’ Asked Miss Kettering.
‘Oh yes Miss Kettering perfect, I’ve put all his friends numbers onto this one Do you want to see?’ Tara held up Miss Kettering’s mobile phone.
‘No dear, I prefer to leave all that new technology to you young people, I can’t fathom all those buttons and things. I prefer to concentrate on the buttons that ensure naughty boys are dressed correctly when I put them to bed! Now off you go.’
Peter was sitting on a wall at the corner of the street; he was talking to a boy known as Jono, Tara didn’t know his real name but she knew Peter was choosing his friends badly.
‘What do you want? Peter said sourly as Tara approached.

‘Miss Kettering wants you to come home at once,’ she told him.

‘Or what happens?’ He smirked at Jono as he spoke.

‘Well don’t say I didn’t tell you.’ She warned. As Tara turned away toward home she pressed a button on the mobile.

Peter’s phone beeped, he looked at the message. It read. Peter, come home for your bath at once or your friend will see this.
Then came a five-second clip of Peter’s spanking.

‘What’s up?’ Asked Jono; trying to peer at Peters phone. ‘Oh it’s nothing, I will….’

Jono interrupted him, ‘I’ve got a message now,’ he said fumbling in his pocket as his phone signalled a new message.

Peter closed his eyes, dreading what was on his friends phone.’

‘Don’t know who this is, do you?’ He asked. ‘Someone called Miss Kettering asking if I was alone yet. Weird.’
Peter jumped down from the wall. ‘Just remembered something, got to dash.’
Miss Kettering turned off the bath taps as the soapy bubbles threatened to spill over the edge. She watched patiently as Peter undressed.
‘Just test the water with your tootsies first, that’s right, now in you get and Miss Kettering will make sure you’re all nice and clean for beddy-byes.’
Somewhat in a daze, Peter climbed into the bath trying desperately to cover what he deemed to be his manhood.
‘That’s a good boy, don’t worry, Miss Kettering has seen plenty of naked little boys before.
‘I’m not a little boy!’ He exclaimed, fighting back tears.
Miss Kettering smiled. ‘Mustn’t splash Miss Kettering,’ she said as she approached him with a large flannel, I know how excited little boys get at bath time. First things first, time for a mouth soaping to clean that potty mouth out I think pet lamb. Before Peter had a chance to respond, the soapy flannel was inserted into his mouth, gagging him as Miss Kettering began to give his mouth a vigorous soaping.
For the next ten minutes Miss Kettering explored and cleaned regions that had not seen soap for too long a time. His hair was divested of all the gel and glutinous substances he had inflicted upon it until finally she pulled out the bath plug and ushered him out of the bathtub whilst wrapping a large fluffy white towel around him.
‘There, all shiny and pink like little boys are supposed to be.
Downstairs Miss Kettering patted the seat of a dining chair. ‘Now sit here, there’s a good boy.’
Miss Kettering placed a bowl over his head.
‘Time for your haircut, hush now, unless you want your little friends to see your encounter with Miss Kettering’s spanking hand.’
Peter’s protests were stifled immediately. Miss Kettering wielded the scissors and seconds later Peter was the not so proud owner of the kind of haircut that many a five your old would have been disappointed to have.
‘Don’t you look sweet, much better than before, now, let’s get you into your pyjamas.’
I don’t have any pyjamas, so I can hardly wear them can I.’ Peter said defiantly.
‘Well you do now!’ Tara was holding a pair of her pyjamas she had grown out of, they were bright pink and had frilly cuffs and a frilly neckline.
‘There’re your pyjamas not mine,’ he blurted absurdly.
Tara grinned, ‘really then take a look at this.’ She held up the pyjama top, embroidered in red were the words, Peters Pyjamas.
‘I took the pyjama top to school and asked Miss Langley to help me.’
Peter’s head swam; Miss Langley was his form teacher and all the boys had a crush on her.
‘She helped you; she saw my name go on those pyjamas?
‘Yes. I told her it was a joke I was playing, she just laughed.
Miss Kettering took the pyjamas. ‘I see you have ironed them nicely too Tara, just as I asked. You are a great help to me.’ Tara flushed with pride. Looking at Peter she said, ‘anything to help my little brother.’
Miss Kettering unbuttoned the pyjama jacket; she held it up and away from her by the shoulders and gave it a small shake.
‘Into your pyjamas now Peter It’s almost your bedtime.’
Responding almost automatically to Miss Kettering’s movement, Peter slipped his arms into the pyjama jacket and stood compliantly uncomplaining as Miss Kettering buttoned up the pyjamas.
Peter felt the warmth from the iron in the soft material as he was enveloped in pink winceyette. Miss Kettering took her time doing up the small Mother of Pearl buttons and made sure the top button was securely fastened before picking up the pyjama bottoms.
‘Step!’
Peter once again reacted to Miss Kettering’s voice and placed his feet inside the proffered opening. Miss Kettering drew the pyjama bottoms up his legs and positioned the elasticised waistband lightly around his midriff. The pyjama bottoms were still quite hot and he failed to disguise displaying his enjoyment at the sensation he felt as the warm winceyette material caressed his groin.
‘I think your little brother enjoys wearing his new pyjamas Tara.’
Tara laughed, ‘I think he does too Miss Kettering although it is only a small display. Perhaps we should show all his friends what Peter wears to beddy-byes.’
‘Well let’s get his slippers on first before we take more pictures shall we? We can’t have my pet lamb having cold tootsies.’
Peter was aghast as Miss Kettering made him put his feet into the yellow bunny rabbit slippers that had also belonged to Tara.
Before he could react Tara had pointed the mobile at him. ‘Oh, that’s a good one, look Peter aren’t you sweet in your pink pyjamas.’
Peter blushed furiously as Tara played back the clip of him being dressed in the pink pyjamas.



Miss Kettering took Peter onto her lap and cuddled him tightly. She gently rubbed the sleeve of his pyjamas and kissed the top of his head.
‘You see Tara, once an unruly boy is snugly dressed in a pair of girls pyjamas they calm down at once and become Miss Kettering’s little pet lamb. Aren’t you my sweet?’
She lifted Peters chin with the crook of her finger as she addressed him.
‘Answer Miss Kettering pet lamb.’
Poor Peter was so bewildered he wasn’t sure what to say. Instead he just nodded his head, and then, as he saw Tara looking at him with glee at his predicament he buried his face childishly into Miss Kettering’s fluffy cardigan.
‘Oh. Is my pet lamb tired then? It is way past your beddy-byes time. Miss Kettering wants you to get plenty of sleep. That will mean bed at six o’clock every school night. At the weekends I will keep you dressed in your sisters pink winceyette pyjamas so I can pop you into bed when I think you need a nap.’
Peter started to protest, tears welling in his eyes ‘but Miss Kettering please doesn’t make me wear Tara’s pyjamas and put me to bed early. I promise to behave.’



Miss Kettering sighed, I’m afraid it’s too late for promises, pyjama punishment and early bedtimes is your future. It’s quite simple my pet lamb, when you come in from school there will be five steps to bedtime. One, pyjama time, that’s straight into freshly ironed little girls pyjamas as soon as you get home, two, homework time, you sit in your pyjamas doing your homework. Three, suppertime, when I will give you a healthy meal with plenty of vegetables, there will be no more of this fast-food nonsense. Four, quiet time before you go to bed, this will usually be spent sitting on Miss Kettering’s lap just like now with plenty of hugs and cuddles until, five, sleepy-byes time, that means tucked up in beddy-byes by six at the very latest.’ Peter struggled to leave Miss Kettering’s lap, ‘no I won’t, I wont do it.’ He shouted and squirmed on Miss Kettering’s lap. Miss Kettering merely chuckled and drew Peter closer to her tightening her grip. ‘Did I mention that I would be collecting you from the school gates every afternoon


Tara was beside herself with joy. She had always wanted to see her brother spanked and put to bed early and now her wish had come true. Peter’s bedtime schedule would give her plenty of opportunities to humiliate him, she thought as she watched him squirm uncomfortably on Miss Kettering’s lap. The news of his bedtime routine had upset him so much that he was again sobbing gently as Miss Kettering tried to comfort the fifteen year old.
Miss Kettering took Peter by the hand, ‘come along since you are being so cranky I think it’s time you were in bed, it’s an early bedtime for you pet lamb.’
Tara watched as Miss Kettering led Peter, shuffling alongside her in his yellow bunny slippers and pink winceyette pyjamas, upstairs to bed. This was too good to miss and Tara was following quickly behind when Peters mobile jingled into life with one of those absurd ring tones.
Tara picked it up, a malicious smile spread across her face; she was going to enjoy this.
‘Peter? Oh no. He won’t be available tonight. Why? Because he is ready for bed, that’s why. Yes, that’s right, ready for bed, as in wearing his pyjamas and slippers.’
Tara resisted the temptation to describe the pyjamas Peter was wearing.
‘No you can’t speak to him. Actually it is his bedtime, I think he is in bed now. Of course he has a bedtime didn’t you know? Peter has to be in his jim-jams and tucked up in beddy-byes early or he gets terribly cranky. Yes I will tell him you called, bye.’
Tara shook with excitement. Jenny Phillips had sounded very puzzled by their conversation. Peter had fancied her for ages and had tried to worm his way into her affections by asking her to help study together.
Tara imagined it would be very amusing to listen to Peter’s explanation next time they met.
By the time Tara dashed upstairs, an amazing sight met her. Peter’s TV, DVD and Hi-fi had all been removed to the sanctuary of Miss Kettering’s room, meanwhile Miss Kettering had stripped his bed and was busy re-making it while Peter stood facing the bedroom wall with his hands on his head!



‘Tara, help me with this bedding will you? Your brother had a little tantrum so he has had a smacked botty again and is being punished in a suitably childish way.’
Together they made up Peter’s bed with pale pink, brushed cotton sheets, one bottom sheet and one top sheet. Tara was quite envious as she felt how soft and fluffy the pillowcases were as she slipped them onto the pillows.
‘Come along Mr Sleepyhead, into beddy-byes with you.’
Peter obediently climbed into bed, altogether a different boy from a few hours ago.
‘That’s right snuggle down.’ Peter’s head sank into the softness of the brushed cotton pillowcase. Miss Kettering placed four fleecy woollen blankets on top of the pink sheet and added an old fashioned heavy quilt. She tucked everything in tightly until she was satisfied Peter was securely bedfast before covering the whole ensemble with a gaily-patterned bedspread featuring various nursery rhyme characters.
‘Don’t you feel all cosy-wosy pet lamb,’ Miss Kettering said to Peter in her best baby talk voice. ‘You will be able to have a lovely long sleepy-byes now sweetheart and don’t worry if you wake up and feel frightened of the dark. Miss Kettering will be straight along to soothe her little boy with a cuddle and a hug thanks to this baby monitor I have set up. See? Just one little sound and I shall be in to see you. Of course if I find you out of beddy-byes without permission it will be smacked botty time again, do you understand?’
Peter managed a little nod of his head. Tara enjoyed herself by gently tucking the pink, brushed cotton sheet under his chin and giving his cheek a peck on the cheek. ‘Nighty-night little brother,’ she teased, ‘it’s seven’ clock now. You should have been fast asleep an hour ago, no wonder you are so cranky.’
She couldn’t resist one final remark. ‘Oh, by the way Jenny Phillips rang while you were being spanked; I told her you were being put to bed.’
Peter’s eyes opened wide with fright and his mouth struggled to find words of protest.
Miss Kettering fumbled in the pocket of her fluffy cardigan.
‘Miss Kettering has a little treat surprise for Peter,’ she said and popped a pink baby’s dummy into his surprised mouth as he was about to speak. Gently she lifted his head from the pillow and secured the dummy with a pink ribbon.
Miss Kettering ignored Peter’s muffled whimpers as she blotted out the daylight by closing the bedroom curtains.
‘Come along Tara, time you were in your pyjamas too.’
As the door closed, Peter blinked away tears and stared into the darkness.







 

Nanny takes Control

You stand, hands on head facing the wall. Tingly clean from the bath you have just been given, you are acutely conscious of the thick, snowy white nappies that confine and embrace your cuckolded manhood. Nanny has already stepped you into pink plastic baby pants and the elasticised legs are already beginning to annoy and frustrate.

To your left you can see her reflection in the mirror. Nanny is always immaculately dressed. Her black hair is severely tied back enhancing her austere, strict demeanour. The white starched collar of her blouse peeks out over the neckline of her long black dress. The cuffs of her blouse are similarly starched and buttoned over her blouse she wears a bibbed white apron, to the bibbed front is pinned a nurse's watch.

You watch as she irons methodically, concentration absolute as she defies creases to disobey her. She is aware you are observing her through the mirror and crooks a finger.
You turn to face her, taking two steps forward. She delicately slips her hands into the white, soft cotton flannelette nightdress and motions you to lift your arms. She swaps her arms for yours as she eases first your hands then your head into the nightdress.
Momentarily it rests on your shoulders and you can feel the transfer of warmth from the iron. Then, as she gently eases the nightdress past your shoulders it cascades down your body. You have taken a sharp intake of breath as the nightdress envelops your body. The softness of the white flannelette caresses your chest, your arms, your legs. It even extends down to your ankles until finally the material rests gently upon your feet. Nanny stands behind you  and fastens the four buttons that encases your neck in the flannelette. She reaches around and raises the deliberately starched frilled lace collar until it resides perfectly positioned to irritate your chin. She takes your left arm and draws the sleeve down toward her until the elastic threaded in the cuff firmly grips your wrist, then flounces out the exaggerated lace frill on the cuff until she is satisfied with its appearance. She repeats the process with your right arm except this time your hand is slipped into a pink, lambswool mitten. Carefully she draws the threaded ribbon together until you feel the pressure on your wrist. She wraps the ribbon around the mitten three times before she ties a double bow, gently easing each side of the bow until they are exactly each size. She repeats the procedure with your other hand and as she completes the procedure you realise that you cannot move a finger no matter how hard you try, the slightest wiggle is beyond you.


Nanny turns your head so you face her, from Nanny's apron pocket you see in her hand your greatest dislike about your bedtime punishment regime;  Your eyes are afraid and you give a small, almost imperceptible shake of the head. Nanny ignores your insignificant protest and doesn't hesitate to place the earplugs firmly into each of your ears. No sooner has she done this than your night bonnet is fitted. Made from the same white cotton flannelette as your nightdress, Nanny slips it onto the back of your head. It feels tight. Nanny has sewn an extra large frill around the bonnet and starched it to create a peek-a-boo style night bonnet. Teasing it forward, the ribbon lengths that tie the bonnet rest loosely on the frilled bodice of your nightdress. Nanny manoeuvres and tweaks the bonnet until it is positioned exactly where she requires it. Your peripheral vision is now as nonexistent as your hearing as the night bonnet is tied into place; all you are aware of are white frills.


Nanny reaches into the pocket of her apron and gleefully shows you your sleepy time dummy, the rubber teat of the dummy seems to taunt you with its impending intrusion into your mouth.The mouth guard is threaded with lengths of pink ribbons She pins the ribbons to the frilled bodice of your nightdress and you swallow hard, taking what you anticipate to be your last meaningful gulp of air for many a long hour.
Instead she lets the dummy hang, you can feel it dangling threateningly against your chest but you cannot see it. Nanny places a firm hand in the small of your back, pressing flannelette against your skin as she directs you with a pointed finger toward the bed. All you can see is what appears to be the vast desert of a white, starched cotton sheet. Taking four steps forward, the flannelette material of your nightdress swishes first against your calves, then at your next step against your thighs and legs. You tremor slightly as you sit on the side of the bed. Nanny’s hands embrace your ankles and you are swivelled onto the bed. Your head is lowered into a pillow of white cotton, the odour of fresh starch fills your nasal passages and you feel as if you are lying on an unyielding solid block of crisp starched cotton as your feet and toes explore the tactile sensation. Not for long however do your feet enjoy their sensory experience. As you stare at the ceiling beyond the frills of your night bonnet, Nanny's hands put a stop to the exploring tendency of your feet. You feel Nanny pull your nightdress down past your ankles and feet and the crepe bandage being wound around the nightdress encompassing your ankles in the flannelette. Five times she encircles them before the ends of the bandage are slipped skilfully under and over each other to ensure no slippage. Experimentally you try and separate your ankles to no avail but for the moment you can move them as one unit from side to side and you do so gleefully, enjoying the combination of nightdress flannelette rubbing against starched cotton sheet. From past experience you know this freedom is only temporary. You can envisage the ends of the bandage being secured to the metal bed end.  Soon your feet and legs are immobile, encased in flannelette and securely tied. Then you feel the tightness upon your chest. Now there is no escape from your bedtime ordeal. Three times you count the bandage encircling you. You are aware of Nanny reaching underneath the bed until suddenly the bandage is tightened and it becomes more difficult to breathe. You attempt to sit up but all you can manage is to lift your head a few inches from the white cotton pillowcase. Now comes the dummy. Nanny places the teat of the dummy against your lips but in a fruitless act of defiance you keep them tight together and shake your head inside your night bonnet. Her lips are moving but you cannot hear any sound, you can however lip read the words, “open wide for Nanny.”

Nanny squeezes your cheeks and as your mouth involuntarily forms an “o” shape, the teat of the dummy slips inside your mouth. Nanny holds it in place as she pumps away at the rubber valve. You feel the bulb inside your mouth expand, depressing your tongue and filling your mouth. Instinctively you try to expel the dummy but it is already too late. Nanny has inflated it perfectly. You breathe in, even with the constraint of the chest bandage securing you to the bed you manage to intake air through your nose, the few seconds of panic are over as you realise you can breathe, all you you have to do is remain calm. You sense Nanny's at the end of the bed. Directly above you, your limited vision is confronted with the sight of a white cotton flannelette sheet floating down toward you. You have an image of Nanny standing at the bottom of the bed and launching the sheet into the air. It settles upon you like a shroud, covering your face and you breathing becomes slightly more panicked as you are deprived of external air. You can feel Nanny working her way up toward you, the mattress lifts slightly as she tucks in the sheet. She is very close now but still your face is encased in flannelette. You flare your nostrils in the search for air as you feel the weight of the duvet crashing upon you. It too is worked its way under the mattress by Nanny until you sense she is right beside you. Without doubt you are pinioned to the bed. Without hope of release until Nanny has decided otherwise. Without saying, you know this will not be anytime soon. The flannelette is removed from your face and cool air hits you. Nanny turns it back, neatly creating an edge to the eiderdown. The flannelette sheet is positioned under your chin and Nanny is suddenly looking down at you through the frills of your night bonnet, again she is talking as silently as before as she tweaks and adjusts the frills to her satisfaction. You can see the time on her watch as she fusses with your bonnet, you are being put to bed at ten past five in the afternoon.

 You suck heavily on your dummy as you digest the time and try to work out how many hours you will be confined to bed. Nanny blows you a kiss and you lipread her saying, “night-night Babykins”. Nanny moves out of view and the room darkens. The curtains have been drawn and hermetically sealed. A pinpoint of light from Nanny's torch blinds your eyes for a second then it is gone. Your vision is confused and you wait for a moment for it to adjust. Then you realise you are alone. The darkness is all pervading and you realise your eyes cannot adapt to complete darkness. Your ear-plugs confine your aural abilities to the sound of your heartbeat and your attempts to breathe rhythmically through your dummy.
You also can hear the imaginary clock in your head that begins to tick away the long hours of silence and darkness that engulf you.