Becoming His: The Teaching of Rebecca Read Online Free PDF

well as assuring Hannah that her story didn’t bother her.  However, it was quite obvious she was like a fish out of water.  Patsy didn’t say anything though.  She had grown up in a household full of children, all of who knew they’d most likely live their lives serving others.  It was obvious that Rebecca had led a much different life, at least until today.  Patsy simply crawled into bed and waited until Rebecca was also in bed. 
    “Good night Rebecca,” Patsy said and then blew out the lamp.  Rebecca whispered back and turned onto her side.  She was exhausted and was almost asleep when a shrill scream made her bolt up.  She heard the scream again and had her feet on the floor preparing to run and help when she heard Patsy. 
    “It’s okay Rebecca.  It’s only Hannah next door.” 
    Rebecca’s heart was racing but she whispered, “Why is she screaming?” 
    Patsy couldn’t contain a small giggle.  “She’ll be fine; she’s just getting her due for breaking a rule.” 
    Rebecca was horrified as another scream rent the air.  She could hear the girl begging for mercy as well as a muffled sound of something striking what Rebecca knew must be Hannah’s bottom.  Rebecca forced herself to lie back down.  “It’s my fault isn’t it?  She got in trouble because I heard her story.” 
    Rebecca sounded so forlorn and guilty that Patsy sat up.  “No Rebecca.  It is Hannah’s fault.  She’s been warned plenty of times to keep her stories to herself.  It isn’t proper to belittle our betters.  She’s been asking to get her bottom blistered ever since she was promoted to upstairs.  I bet she’s back in the kitchen tomorrow.  Mrs. Williams is real nice and usually very lenient, but believe me she can paddle a bottom just as hard as Miss Lambert.  Hannah’s just lucky she wasn’t sent to see Danvers…he loves nothing more than to have an excuse to cane one of us.  Now, go to sleep.  Tomorrow comes awfully early downstairs.” 
    Rebecca turned over onto her side and then pulled her pillow over her head as the cries and pleas continued.  She found herself counting each stroke of the paddle hitting flesh.  She shivered at the thought of being paddled in such a way for far more than fifty strokes.  Patsy’s words kept circling in her head.  It took a long time for sleep to claim her even after she heard the sounds of Mrs. Williams leaving Hannah’s room.  She lay there listening to Hannah sob for a very long time.
     

CHAPTER 3
     
    Three months passed quickly.  Rebecca discovered muscles she had never known she had.  Running up the stairs several times a day was difficult at first but her legs became firm and even slimmer.  Mrs. Williams had found her a new uniform and helped her to take it in so that it fit properly though was still as drab and uncomfortable as the old one.  At least my drawers aren’t falling off, Rebecca thought as she hurried up to her room.  Closing the door firmly, she barely managed to pull the chamber pot out from under the washstand and get the lid off before she squatted and relieved herself.  She had quickly discovered the truth of Mrs. Williams’ words.  Split crotch bloomers were indeed easier to deal with than all those layers of petticoats and fancy bloomers.  She finished and stood, replacing the lid with a shudder.  She still refused to think about the more basic needs of herself or others.  She had learned how demeaning it was to be a chambermaid. 
    Every morning once the students left their rooms for classes, she and a few others marched upstairs and gathered the used chamber pots.  She carefully carried them downstairs and outside to be emptied into a large trench that was eventually covered with lime and a new one dug.  She was grateful that job fell to others.  It took several trips up and down stairs to empty the pots.  Once they were emptied, she had to wash and dry out each one and make the return trip to replace