"Right, gentlemen. Please open your books at page thirty-one, and we shall continue with the lesson. Robson, translate."

"Sir." Robson coughed and began to read from the text. "The Gauls are attacking the ditches ... ." As he spoke, the rest of the class reacted in their usual fashion. Most tried to keep up with the translation, following it in case the teacher would call upon them to continue. Some stared at the Latin phrases, hoping that by some process of educational osmosis they would gain insight into the mysteries of the Gallic Wars. One, a reluctant student by the name of Williams, sat back in his seat and closed his eyes.

The atmosphere in the classroom was warm and stifling. Even though it was summer, the school boiler was running, pumping heat into the room. The near-tropical heat, combined with the droning of the Latin translation, were so soporific that Williams found himself beginning to doze off.

"Mister Williams!" The stern tones of the Latin master cut into Williams's daydreams. He jerked upright and looked around. Everyone was staring at him. "Mister Williams," the teacher repeated. "Would you please explain to me the significance of Caesar's commentary?"

Williams glanced down at his textbook. He had no idea where he was meant to be in the passage. The master waited for a moment, then said, "Your hesitation betrays you. Come to my study where we shall discuss your conduct."

For the rest of the lesson, Williams shifted uncomfortably on his seat, trying to concentrate, to redeem himself in the eyes of the teacher. However, his efforts seemed to be ignored. And, as the bell rang and the other students filed out noisily into the corridor, Williams reluctantly made his way to the staff study rooms. He arrived there before the Latin master, but only just.

"Mister Williams," the master addressed him. "Come inside."

Williams followed the man in. The master sat down at his desk and fumbled in the cubby beneath it, bringing out a shiny, new rattan cane. Williams stood nervously before him, eyeing the cane warily.

"So, Mister Williams, what are we to do with you?" Williams began to answer, but the master stopped him. "I could punish you," he went on, his fingers resting on the cane, "but I doubt it would achieve anything beyond a moment of pain and weeks of resentment towards me. So, I am prepared to make you an offer."

"Sir," Williams said.

"Now, by rights I should record this as a demerit. But, should you pass next week's review with distinction, I would be prepared to forget this incident. Or," the teacher shifted the cane on his desk, "we could just deal with matters here and now."

"A deal, sir?" Williams asked.

"Think of it as a choice; an experiment in educational psychology if you will," the Latin master said. "Which would work better - the carrot or the stick, hmm?"