About midday
Should the master catch sight of an idler , or practical joker , he would throw the strap to the delinquent as a sign that a thrashing was due , and the boy or girl had to come up to his table and receive the punishment . `` Some wad be stiff to come up wi ` t , ye ken , '' explained Willy ; `` but he 'd niver let a loon off , though he wes mair merciful-like to the wee lassies . He 'd larnt by experience , ye ken ; for in the auld days , afore I went there , ane o ' the lassies wes a month awa ' frae the schule -- he throosh her that severe . '' About midday there was a recess , and the children ate their `` pieces , '' which they had brought from home , and spent a little time outside at play , while the schoolmaster took his simple meal . The favorite game was a kind of shinty . It was played by the boys with a ball , driven with sticks , each with `` a big lump o ' wood at the end o ` t. '' The more advanced pupils learned grammar . `` I niver learned nae graymer masel ' , '' said Willy .