Moira, a maidservant in the employ of the Laird of Kirkbarton, is caught stealing money to help buy food for her ailing father. The laird, a kindly man, offers to help Moira's father, but realises Moira must be punished owing to the serious nature of her crime. To her shame, Moira is ordered to collect the objects of her chastisement: a tawse from Master Forbes, the schoolmaster, and a switch from the laird's gardener. Moira's punishment is both painful and humiliating, and she does her best to endure it. It is not the first chastisement she receives, as some time later she marries and is taken to task for her disobedience by her husband, who dispenses discipline with a Scottish tawse and the rod of correction - a fearsome implement which will be put to good use in the years to come...