Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!

It's al iways us !

East of Toronto, just off Highway 48, you will find a beautiful tree-lined campus right across the road from the famous Miss Scrimmage's Finishing School for Young Ladies. It is Macdonald Hall, where generations of boys have been educated and prepared for manhood. Named for Sir John A. Macdonald, the Hall, with its ivy-covered stone buildings and beautiful rolling lawns, is the most respected boarding school for boys in all of Canada.

In Canada? you say. Why, then, is the flagpole in front of the Faculty Building proudly flying the flag of Malbonia?

The answer lies in Dormitory 3, room 306.

The window blinds were drawn, but that did not prevent two sets of attentive eyes from peering through the small cracks. They were fixed on the area in front of the Faculty Building.

"Nobody's even noticed it yet. You'd think this was Malbonia," grumbled Bruno Walton.

"Let's give it a little time," came the soothing voice of his room-mate, Boots O'Neal.

Just then the Headmaster's blue Plymouth turned into the driveway. Instead of driving on into the parking lot, it screeched to a halt in front of the flagpole. The window rolled down and a familiar head emerged.

"This is it!" Bruno exclaimed.

The two boys watched as Mr. Sturgeon got out of his car and stared at the flag as if hoping it would vanish if he looked at it long enough.

"He sure doesn't look very happy," Boots observed.

"The Fish never looks happy," countered Bruno.

"No, not unless he's expelling somebody," Boots agreed. Among the boys at Macdonald Hall Mr. Sturgeon was notorious for his sternness, although to their parents he seemed a kind and understanding administrator who was fond of his students - he just never let them know it.

The two boys strained for a better view. A crowd was beginning to gather around the Headmaster, who was still staring at the flag as though willing it to be the red Maple Leaf of Canada.

Bruno jumped up from his spot at the window.

"Okay, everything's in motion. Let's go out and jointhe crowd."

"Not me," said Boots, beginning to perspire. "The Fish will know it's us."

"Don't be silly! How on earth could he know?"

"It's always us!" Boots exclaimed.

"Come on," Bruno said, pulling his friend up and half-dragging him down the freshly painted hallway. "We did all the work and they're having all the fun. Maybe it'll turn into a riot. I love riots."

The boys emerged into the yard and melted into the crowd. They could see the entire population of Miss Scrimmage's Finishing School watching from across the road. There was a lot of whistling, shouting and waving from the boys, until Mr. Sturgeon began surveying the students with his steely grey eyes. A hush fell. Boots pinched Bruno; the steely eyes had stopped on them.

At that moment the flag of Malbonia was unceremoniously lowered and the Maple Leaf run up in its place - but not before a number of spectators arriving for the big game had noticed it.

The annual hockey game between the Macdonald Hall Macs and the York Academy Cougars was to takeplace that afternoon. It had been a tradition since 1952, and the feeling of rivalry was intense. Spectators from both sides were pouring in, not just the families of the teams, but everyone who wanted to witness the yearly battle. The Macs were determined to win this one - having been thoroughly trounced in each of their five previous meetings. Then there was that wretched cat! The Cougars had a mascot, a thirty-pound alley cat sporting the team colours. At every game she would sit smugly on the players' bench looking fat and contented. It was too much! Macdonald Hall had no mascot at all - except for a loud cheering section from Miss Scrimmage's.