Txspanker notes in his post the mood/reaction of the class when the involved parties were outside of the room. Despite a teacher's admonitions to do so, no study or other serious endeavor was ever accomplished while a paddling was in progress, especially in the classroom but not out in the hall either. The difference was that when it was in the hall as soon as the teacher had left the room the class began doing as he said-smiling at each other, exchanging loud whispers on the event-in-progress, everyone keeping their ears super-tuned to the proceedings outside, waiting to hear the first swat land. And then, as soon as the last one was given, immediately adopting a serious look and being perfectly silent as the miscreants and the dispenser of justice returned to the room.
Of course, if YOU were the one on the spot and being marched up front or outside, besides being pretty anxious about what was going to happen, you were also acutely aware that
every eye and ear was upon you.
Hmmm...that certainly gives a different take on the unofficial state song of Texas, doesn't it?! I can see a just-paddled offender walking back into the room while the class softly hums, "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You."
