 Malcolm accidentally hits a ball into grouchy old Mrs. Griffen s yard and, when going to retrieve it, he has a run-in with the old lady, accidentally making her fall and break her ankle. As punishment, Malcolm must go over to Mrs. Griffen s house every day after school to help her out; Dewey begins carrying a purse to school rather than a back pack; Francis must deal with his screw-up friend Richie at military school.