Gay activites were still frowned upon in the sixties. When Susannah is caught in bed with the maid Dorothea, they are reported to Mr Connaught, who is furious with them. He marches them down to the punishment room, cane in hand. After the usual dressing down, he makes Suzannah bend over and gives her six of the best across her trousers. Blaming the maid, who is older and wiser, she has to bend over with her bottom bared. After the traditional six of the best, she takes a further two, for not acting more responsibly. (CA50)