Read Online Ten Thumb Sam by Rachel Muller - Free Book Online Page B

the Triple Top?” Sam asked anxiously.
    â€œPlus, with my family performing, everyone could take turns,” Harriet pointed out. “No one would have to perform in every show.”
    â€œLook, it’s wonderful that you two want to save the circus,” Irene began.
    â€œIt’s just a real long shot,” Max finished for his wife. “To cover our fines, we’d have to sell out every single performance, including the three extra ones you’re proposing. We’ve sold out individual shows before, but never eight in a row. We’ve never even been close.”
    â€œBut there are ways we could advertise the circus specially for this weekend,” said Sam. “Harriet and I have a whole bunch of ideas.”
    â€œCome on, let’s hear the kids out,” Mrs. Pigatto said. “They’ve obviously put some effort into this.”
    â€œThank you,” Sam said with relief. As the four adults listened attentively, he filled in the details of the plan.
    â€œI have to admit, it sounds intriguing,” Max said when Sam was finished.
    â€œIt’s a long shot, but it just might work,” said Mr. Pigatto.
    â€œI don’t know about the rest of you,” said Mrs. Pigatto, “but I don’t want to go down without a fight. I’m in.”
    â€œReally?” Sam said in amazement.
    â€œOf course it’s not just up to us,” Irene cautioned the cousins. “Your plan is going to take a lot of hard work on everyone’s part. We’ll talk to your brothers and sisters, Sam, but you’re going to need everyone else’s cooperation too.”
    â€œBetter get moving,” Max said with a smile. “You don’t have much time.”

    The Triple Top caravan pulled into Hamilton late Tuesday afternoon. By the end of the evening, Sam and Harriet had managed to convince even the most reluctant performer to join in the plan to save the circus. While their siblings got ready for bed, the two cousins held a last-minute strategy session at the picnic table outside the Stringbini bus.
    â€œI think that’s it,” Harriet said a few hours later as she surveyed the scribbled notes and diagrams spread out all around them. “By Thursday night, everyone in the city should know the Triple Top is here.”
    â€œThink we can really do this?” Sam asked, suddenly feeling anxious.
    â€œHope so,” said Harriet.
    Sam wiped his damp palms on his shorts. “Me too. It would sure be nice to get something right for a change.”

Chapter Sixteen
    â€œUh, thanks for coming, everyone,” Sam began nervously, addressing the performers who’d gathered in the big top after breakfast on Wednesday morning. He shuffled the papers in his hands until he found the one he was looking for. “So, uh, we’ve only got thirty-four hours before the first show on Thursday night. Here’s what we thought we should do.”
    â€œFirst, we need to have people patrolling the circus grounds at all times,” Harriet said from her place beside her cousin. “We need to make sure there’s no more sabotage.”
    â€œAbsolutely. Good thinking,” said Mr. Pigatto as the other performers nodded.
    â€œEveryone else will go into town to promote our weekend shows,” Sam said as he and Harriet began handing out the assignments they’d prepared. “As youknow, we have to sell out all eight shows or we won’t make enough to pay off the fines.”
    Sam gnawed on the end of his thumb while he waited for the performers to read their handouts. A hush filled the big top as everyone digested the details of the assignments they’d been given.
    â€œWell done, you two,” Max said after a moment, looking up from the paper in his hand. “You’ve laid out our instructions very clearly. Looks like you’ve thought of everything.”
    Annabel opened her mouth to say something, but Sam’s mother cut