Too bad for any parent who has become accustomed to ruling by force, because at some point the kids just get too big to slap around.

Gates got up, but not fast or jerkily, with the same slowness that had always characterized him. He wiped the sweat off his palms by running them lightly down his sides. As though he were...

How long y’ think it’ll take t’git that wild streak out im?””Well, Brother Tiggins, that’ll depend on how long he can weather the leather.

I accepted what the Sisters taught in religion class: that God is loving, merciful, charitable, forgiving. That message didn’t jibe with adults smacking kids.