Return to Avondale

They talked of many things and held hands on the bed, the girls thanking her for her part in the training they had received.

"We know you t,tortured us 'Brina, but it was your job, and we know now that we needed it to be women. Thank you for hurting us," said Donna.

Such a remark would have been deemed insane out- side Avondale. But of course, others just simply didn't know.

"I've come to tell you about the branding," said

Sabrina lovingly.

"We know," said Pamela.

They had thought about the branding often. In the early weeks it had seemed so cruel and unneces- sary, and something definitely not looked forward to. But that was before their lives had been so beautifully changed.

"A century ago," said Sabrina with her arms on the girls' shoulders, "girls in every training school in England were branded at graduation ceremonies without exception. It was considered proper, for it is the mark of a finished product. Remember too that England had dozens and dozens of training schools at that time and they were not reform-

Tories such as Avondale is now. They were just grooming schools for young ladies, and every girl in England would give her right arm to be enrolled.

It was an honor for the reason you have just learned here over the past five months. A girl came out a very desirable and total young woman. It's a shame such schools are gone. Every girl would be much better to have learned to live the lives you will now lead. Remember also that girls were as young as thirteen back then, yet they too were ringed and branded by their own choosing. Back then, to have a training school brand was the ulti- mate compliment for a girl, and she spent the next ten years showing it off! Girls were branded on the bottom cheeks at graduation in front of their admiring and proud mothers."

Pamela and Donna tingled from the excitement of Sabrina's historical resume! Wouldn't it be great if thousands of young women were still branded today!

"Later, things changed in society, and branding was not made mandatory, but it has always been a part of Avondale's tradition. The brand of Avon- dale still means a great deal to many people in

England," continued Sabrina. "In modern times, branding is optional with the paroled girl. She may choose it or not. If she does, she must sign a paper, in case authorities would possibly question it later on. I am responsible for the branding, in my labora- tory. Unlike the old days, parents or other girls are not in attendance. Furthermore, I apply a painkilling salve at once.

"Despite all the modern things we use on the girls today, the branding has not changed. It is the one tradition kept pure. It is still done with a hot branding iron as it, has been done since days of ancient Persia. It could be done these days with an electric iron, or a form of electric tattoo, but the custom is like the whip. It never changes. A female should feel the iron fresh from hot coals.

"A girl today may have the choice of being branded on her buttocks, or on her breasts. Breast branding began in 1931 by a headmistress who found, through study of old historical books, that breast-branding was normal from Babylonian days clear up through the fifteenth century. So, it was begun again. On one breast or bottom cheek is branded the word A vondale. On the other, the year of 'graduation'. The decision is yours. I will tell you that some girls elect to be branded, some do not. I will not tell you the proportion for it would sway your decision possibly. Whatever you choose, it will not make me think better of you, or worse. I love you two very much, Pamela and Donna, and will not change my feeling whichever way you de- cide. Would you like an hour to think about it? It will be done tomorrow morning, just before you leave."

"We know our decision already, 'Brina," said

Pamela. "It was made two weeks ago. We wish to be branded on our breasts."

Sabrina smiled. "I knew what your decision would be. I don't often make mistakes in judging girls here. When a girl makes that decision, I feel a deep love for her. I know by looks and vibes when a girl wants me in bed. I 've seen it in your eyes, both of you, since you first came. If you would have

looked beyond my mini-skirt and took time out from making cow-eyes at me you would have seen that I've wanted to make it with you also. Both of you. This is not true for all the girls. You two are special. As you can see, I've brought my overnight, bag. Your decision was important. If you had chosen not to be branded, I would not have spent the night in your bed. I felt you would. That is why

I told my husband I would be sleeping with two precious girls tonight. For the first time, I also told my little daughter. She knows not what it means, but I saw no reason to lie about my absence to night. She'll understand in a few years."

Pamela and Donna were spinning in joy. A night in bed with Sabrina!