hot tears with our death scenes, sigh gently over our love scenes, and laugh heartily over our comic turns? Shall we be …
actors?
”
“Yes!” cried the pirates, raising their fists in the air. “Yes! Yes! YES!”
“
Sour cream makes good shampoo!
” squawked the parrot.
“Does that mean we’re free? Does that mean we’re free?” Jacob asked.
“Indeed it does,” said Crossbones. “No hard feelings, I hope.”
CHAPTER 15
acob was overjoyed to be reunited with his mother and father. Even his brothers and sisters were glad to see him. Cindy was just as happy to see her mother, and Mrs. Snootcastle was so glad to have Cindy back that she didn’t even mind Treasure anymore. She told Cindy all about her career as an opera singer before she married Mr. Snootcastle and retired from the stage.
The SS
Spring-a-Leak
was waiting on the other side of the island. After they got on board, Crossbones and his pirates returned to their own ship and followed behind. Crossbones didn’t want to fly theJolly Roger from the foremast now that they were no longer going to be real pirates. But since he didn’t have any other flag, he borrowed a pair of polka-dotted boxer shorts from Captain Sparkletooth and flew them instead.
Before turning his ship into a showboat, Captain Sparkletooth had to deliver his passengers to Canada. They continued on their journey, returning to the old routine of shuffleboard games and fancy meals in the dining room. Jacob and Cindy got to play the games now too. They also visited their friend Morgenbesser down in the engine room, where they all had tea and played checkers.
One evening at dinner, Mrs. Snootcastle turned to Jacob’s father and said, “I’m reading your latest book. It is not nearly as dreadful as I thought.”
“Coming from you,” said Jacob’s father, “I consider that a great compliment.”
Just before dessert, the band suddenly struck up the song “Happy Birthday.” Jacob watched as Morgenbesser, dressed in a white suit, wheeled in a giant cake. Jacob’s family began to sing and everyone joined in. So they hadn’t forgotten his birthday after all! In fact, it was Jacob who had forgotten. For amoment he was glad, but then he remembered why he had wanted to skip it in the first place.
“Blow out the candles, Jacob,” said a smiling Morgenbesser. Jacob took a big breath and began to blow. He managed to blow out all the candles himself, although Morgenbesser helped him with the last two. Everyone cheered.
Daniel said “Hey, wait a minute. Jacob isn’t two plus two plus two years old anymore.”
Here it comes
, Jacob thought. They were going to make fun of his name. They were going to call him Jacob Two-Two Plus One after all. There was nothing he could do about it.
“You’re right,” said Jacob’s father, ruffling his hair. “Jacob is now two plus two plus two plus
one brave boy
.”
Jacob grinned from ear to ear.
CHAPTER 16
t last the shores of Canada came into view. Jacob Two-Two stood at the rail beside Cindy as the SS
Spring-a-Leak
sailed down the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and along the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. Before long the port of Montreal came into view. Jacob could see a brass band playing and hundreds of people waving. As the ship docked, Jacob’s father said, “I recognize that person up on the platform. That’s Perry Pleaser, the prime minister of Canada.”
Jacob’s father was right. A red carpet was rolled along the gangway and Jacob, his family, and the other passengers walked off the ship. Jacob wondered whythe prime minister was there. Perhaps it was to thank his father for writing the very important novel.
The prime minister called all of them up to the platform. “On behalf of Canada and all the civilized nations of the world,” said the prime minister, “I wish to bestow these medals on Jacob Two-Two and Cindy Snootcastle. These two courageous children have helped to rid the high seas of pirates.”
The crowd waved their
actors?
”
“Yes!” cried the pirates, raising their fists in the air. “Yes! Yes! YES!”
“
Sour cream makes good shampoo!
” squawked the parrot.
“Does that mean we’re free? Does that mean we’re free?” Jacob asked.
“Indeed it does,” said Crossbones. “No hard feelings, I hope.”
CHAPTER 15
acob was overjoyed to be reunited with his mother and father. Even his brothers and sisters were glad to see him. Cindy was just as happy to see her mother, and Mrs. Snootcastle was so glad to have Cindy back that she didn’t even mind Treasure anymore. She told Cindy all about her career as an opera singer before she married Mr. Snootcastle and retired from the stage.
The SS
Spring-a-Leak
was waiting on the other side of the island. After they got on board, Crossbones and his pirates returned to their own ship and followed behind. Crossbones didn’t want to fly theJolly Roger from the foremast now that they were no longer going to be real pirates. But since he didn’t have any other flag, he borrowed a pair of polka-dotted boxer shorts from Captain Sparkletooth and flew them instead.
Before turning his ship into a showboat, Captain Sparkletooth had to deliver his passengers to Canada. They continued on their journey, returning to the old routine of shuffleboard games and fancy meals in the dining room. Jacob and Cindy got to play the games now too. They also visited their friend Morgenbesser down in the engine room, where they all had tea and played checkers.
One evening at dinner, Mrs. Snootcastle turned to Jacob’s father and said, “I’m reading your latest book. It is not nearly as dreadful as I thought.”
“Coming from you,” said Jacob’s father, “I consider that a great compliment.”
Just before dessert, the band suddenly struck up the song “Happy Birthday.” Jacob watched as Morgenbesser, dressed in a white suit, wheeled in a giant cake. Jacob’s family began to sing and everyone joined in. So they hadn’t forgotten his birthday after all! In fact, it was Jacob who had forgotten. For amoment he was glad, but then he remembered why he had wanted to skip it in the first place.
“Blow out the candles, Jacob,” said a smiling Morgenbesser. Jacob took a big breath and began to blow. He managed to blow out all the candles himself, although Morgenbesser helped him with the last two. Everyone cheered.
Daniel said “Hey, wait a minute. Jacob isn’t two plus two plus two years old anymore.”
Here it comes
, Jacob thought. They were going to make fun of his name. They were going to call him Jacob Two-Two Plus One after all. There was nothing he could do about it.
“You’re right,” said Jacob’s father, ruffling his hair. “Jacob is now two plus two plus two plus
one brave boy
.”
Jacob grinned from ear to ear.
CHAPTER 16
t last the shores of Canada came into view. Jacob Two-Two stood at the rail beside Cindy as the SS
Spring-a-Leak
sailed down the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and along the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. Before long the port of Montreal came into view. Jacob could see a brass band playing and hundreds of people waving. As the ship docked, Jacob’s father said, “I recognize that person up on the platform. That’s Perry Pleaser, the prime minister of Canada.”
Jacob’s father was right. A red carpet was rolled along the gangway and Jacob, his family, and the other passengers walked off the ship. Jacob wondered whythe prime minister was there. Perhaps it was to thank his father for writing the very important novel.
The prime minister called all of them up to the platform. “On behalf of Canada and all the civilized nations of the world,” said the prime minister, “I wish to bestow these medals on Jacob Two-Two and Cindy Snootcastle. These two courageous children have helped to rid the high seas of pirates.”
The crowd waved their
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