“Let’s talk about that tomorrow, when we’re rested,” Mr. Swift replied. “We’ll hold another conference with Dr. Faber and Evan Glennon.”
“Right, Dad. I’d like to call in Jerry Walden, too.”
The next morning Tom slept later than usual and came down to an appetizing breakfast of golden-brown flapjacks and bacon. His youthful, BRUNGARIAN HEADLINES 53
attractive mother sat down with him and listened to his plans.
“I hope you’ll take every precaution when you enter that rocket with the diseased animals,” she cautioned.
Tom gave her a tight hug. “Mother, this means you think I’m going to succeed in getting there. That’s just the encouragement I need. Now I can’t fail!”
Directly after breakfast Tom telephoned Jerry Walden about the proposed conference, saying he would pick him up. Then Tom drove his silver sports car out of the garage, and set off for Jerry’s house.
A honk on the horn brought the young veterinarian hurrying out. “Hi, Tom!
Good to see you again!” They shook hands warmly.
“Glad you’re back from South Africa, Jerry.” Tom smiled. “Hop in!”
As the two boys drove to the plant, Tom briefed Jerry about the trouble confronting their space friends.
“Sounds like a real challenge,” Jerry said enthusiastically.
When they arrived at Enterprises, Bud Barclay was just coming out of the main building. “You’d better sit in on this meeting, too,” Tom invited him.
“Something new has come up.”
“Big deal?” Bud asked.
“Plenty big.” Tom grinned. “I think you’ll want to be in on it, fly boy.”
54 THE RACE TO THE MOON