Читать книгу Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 1901–1910 in Their Own Words - Max Arthur, Max Arthur - Страница 116

For a career in the services, my public school background was invaluable. It taught discipline, and the idea of working for a team and not just your miserable self. Also, you met others of your own type. Nine out of ten officers came from public schools. Discipline was good at Lancing. I got beaten at times, for my own good, no doubt. In fact, I made it possible to insure against the cane. Three of us started a system whereby the small boys could insure at the beginning of the term for a small premium and if they were caned, they received sixpence a stroke. Some boys, of course, were on the grey list and had to pay a higher premium and some were on a blacklist and we wouldn't insure them at all. These were the bad risks. The scheme went very well for a while and we were paying out, but unfortunately, towards the end of the term, the numbers of beatings went up. The boys were short of money and so they started misbehaving so that they could be beaten and subsequently claim on their insurance. The headmaster inquired into the situation and shortly afterwards, the scheme went into involuntary liquidation. I don't think the headmaster particularly applauded our initiative.