This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall by Gordon Korman

across the road sloshed a bucket of water on me.”
    â€œGracious! Why would she do a thing like that?”
    â€œOh, it was purely accidental,” said Mr. Sturgeon bitterly. “She misjudged. Actually, she was bringing the water to revive Elmer Drimsdale.”
    â€œWhat was wrong with Elmer Drimsdale?”
    Mr. Sturgeon sighed deeply. “A basket fell on him,” he explained, “after Miss Scrimmage shot it down. Mildred, that woman is going to kill someone one day!”
    â€œYes, yes, dear,” his wife soothed. “I’m sure everything will be fine in the morning. Let’s not wake up Francisco. The poor child is just exhausted. Thank heaven for Bruno and Melvin!” she added.
    â€œI wouldn’t put it
quite
that way,” Mr. Sturgeon replied sourly. “Those two have finally gone too far. Tonight was the last straw.”
    â€œNonsense. All they did was save a child. They didn’t create the disturbance. They went out to try and stop it.”
    Mr. Sturgeon opened his mouth and then closed it again. There was no use trying to explain to his wife about Bruno and Boots. Instead, he marched upstairs in search of a towel and dry pyjamas.

Chapter 14
No End to Miracles!
    Bruno was sleeping in. Elmer, who had not slept a wink since the incident, could only marvel at his roommate’s tranquillity.
    There was a knock at the door. Elmer answered it to admit the office messenger.
    â€œGreetings, Alien Elmer,” the boy pronounced. “I am the bearer of a message from Earth.”
    â€œFor me?” Elmer quavered.
    â€œNope, for Walton. From Mission Control.”
    Elmer breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Bruno, wake up. There’s a message for you from Mr. Sturgeon.”
    Bruno rolled over and yawned. “I’m too tired. He’ll have to wait.”
    â€œOh no, he won’t,” said the messenger. “The place is crawling with cops.”
    Bruno bounded out of bed and began to dress.
    * * *
    â€œI just
knew
that you and your unsavoury friend had to be behind that uproar last night,” growled George. “This came for you.” He handed Boots a message from the office.
    â€œDoesn’t bother me a bit,” shrugged Boots with as much false confidence as he could muster. “I intend to put the blame squarely where it belongs — on you.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t dare!” cried George, but Boots was already out the door and gone.
    He ran full tilt to the Faculty Building, where he narrowly avoided another collision: Bruno was running from the other direction.
    â€œAre you as scared as I am?” asked Boots.
    â€œMe?
Scared?
” lied Bruno. “Never worry about what you can’t avoid, I always say.” He cleared his throat. “I hear there were cops here this morning.”
    â€œOh no!” moaned Boots. “Expelled
and
arrested.”
    â€œIt’s only our first offence,” Bruno offered hopefully. “Maybe we’ll just get bawled out.”
    â€œI hope I
do
get arrested,” said Boots grimly. “I’d like to have iron bars between me and The Fish. When Cathy dumped that water on his head …” He shuddered — then grinned and added, “I just about cheered!”
    â€œAnd when Francisco asked if he was The Fish … We may be in big trouble,” chuckled Bruno, “but it sure was funny! And Miss Scrimmage shooting at the balloon …”
    â€œAnd the way it conked Elmer Drimsdale!” howled Boots.
    â€œAnd then that looney from the UFO Society called The Fish an old geezer!” screeched Bruno.
    â€œAnd now The Fish is going to kill us!” screamed Boots.
    â€œAnd the cops are after us!” moaned Bruno.
    The laughter died abruptly as the boys were jolted from the hilarious past into the uncomfortable present.
    â€œWhy put it off?” said Boots sadly. “We’d better get in