The Ghost in Room 11 Read Online Free PDF Page B

continued. “‘That was when I knew who the ghost was.’” He took a deep breath and turned a page. The scariest part was still to come.
    â€œâ€˜A couple of weeks ago we had a sleep over in the gym,’” he read. “‘Miss Carey asked me to get a video from her classroom. It was Room Eleven. I looked through the door, and the ghost was on the other side of the glass. I was so scared that I ran all the way back to the gym. I told Miss Carey I couldn’t find the video, so she went to get it herself. I guess she didn’t see the ghost. I’m the only one who sees her, and I don’t know why.’”
    Matt put down his paper, and the students cheered and clapped. He looked at all the excited faces and knew he’d done what he meant to do. Every single student in the gym was wondering if he’d really seen a ghost.
    Miss Monahan returned to the microphone. “Both of these stories are very good,” she said. “Matthew’s story is fun because he wrote about school—a place he knows and you know. He put his imagination to work, and he came up with a good idea.” She smiled at Matt. “How did you happen to make up a ghost story, Matthew?”
    Matt stared at her in dismay. She was spoiling everything!
    â€œI didn’t make it up,” he said loudly. “I really saw the ghost!”
    â€œNow, Matthew,” Miss Monahan said, still smiling, “it’s important to know the difference between what’s real and what isn’t. We all like your story, whether it’s make-believe or not.”
    â€œBut it isn’t make-believe,” Matt shouted. “It isn’t!”
    â€œMatthew!” Mr. Beasley jumped up. “That’s enough!”

    But Matthew couldn’t stop. “I’m telling the truth!” he roared. “I am. And I saw the ghost again! I saw her yesterday afternoon. I thought it was Mrs. Sanders standing next to my desk, but it was Miss Whipple. I saw her, and I heard her. She pointed to my paper and she said, ‘Shocking!’ She was mad at me.”
    â€œSo am I!” Mr. Beasley bellowed. His face was tomato-red. “Matthew Barber, you sit down right now!”

11
    Trouble at Home
    â€œYou’re going to do what? ” Matt’s mother stopped in the middle of the patio and stared at Matt and Merry Monahan. She had come home early and greeted their guest with a big smile. The smile was gone now.
    â€œWe’re going to have a ghost hunt,” Miss Monahan repeated gaily. “Tonight. At the school.”
    â€œBut that’s nonsense!” Matt’s mother exclaimed.
    Matt shrank back in his chair.
    â€œIt was just a big fuss-and-feathers.” Miss Monahan giggled. “Matthew said he’s seen a ghost in the school, and that upset Mr. Beasley.”
    â€œI should think so!” Matt’s mother sat down.
    â€œIt was all my fault,” Miss Monahan went on. “I argued with Matthew in front of his classmates, and the children got excited, so I tried to think of something that would satisfy everybody and I suggested—”
    â€œA ghost hunt.” Matt’s mother shook her head.
    â€œIt’ll be an adventure,” Miss Monahan said bravely. “If we don’t see a ghost, Matthew and everyone else can forget the whole thing. If we do see a ghost—” she grinned at Matt “—I’ll admit that Matthew was right and I was wrong.”
    â€œI can’t believe Mr. Beasley would agree to such a thing,” Matt’s mother said.
    â€œHe didn’t have much choice, I guess,” Miss Monahan said. “When I suggested it, the kids started cheering, and the only way to calm them down was to agree. It’s just for fun,” she added. “No harm done.”
    â€œBut it encourages Matthew to lie,” his mother said.
    â€œI didn’t lie,” Matt said softly. He hated grownups’