Circus Mirandus

The narrative returns to the present. Chintzy is forced to navigate the sewer system to reach the Tuttle’s house; she is irritated about this and must rinse herself in a bird bath.

Jenny and Micah, still in the treehouse, finish the quipu; Jenny is impressed that Micah manages to make the letters of their classmates in string. She can’t find anything about Circus Mirandus in the circus book.

Suddenly, they hear Chintzy’s voice. Micah works out that it is Chintzy and victoriously cries out, “[I]t is you!” (116). Chintzy pretends to be a regular parrot. She goes to the chimney, seeing the window is closed.

Grandpa’s bedside light turns on. Jenny and Micah realize he’s talking to Chintzy, although Jenny is still skeptical about the magical nature of the circus. They wait excitedly, and Jenny reflects that she’s glad that their teacher made them partners.

Micah and Jenny plan to take turns sleeping so that they can watch the window, but Micah feels too keyed up to sleep, so he doesn’t disturb Jenny, who is asleep in their one sleeping bag. He watches the window fixedly but eventually drifts off himself.