As Tom ate with a hearty appetite, Sandy went to get the new mascot, Nicky, then she laughingly described some of his antics. Tom fed him a few morsels off the tray as Mr. and Mrs. Swift looked on, smiling.
“Your new spaceship is a tremendous achievement, son,” Mrs. Swift said. “It may help America win victory in the race to the moon.”
“I hope so, Mother,” the young inventor replied soberly. “And I’m hoping it will let us reach the animal rocket first, too, when our space friends launch it.”
Mr. Swift spoke up. “I’m beginning to wonder why we haven’t heard from them,” he said with a thoughtful frown.
“Let’s hope word comes soon,” Tom replied.
A STARTLING MESSAGE 109
After he finished his meal, Tom slipped into his loafers and went to see Mrs.
Newton in her room down the hall. He was glad to find her in good spirits and ready to leave the infirmary.
Both families prepared to fly back to Shopton, with the exception of Tom. He decided to remain on the island in order to complete his study of the chart recordings made in the test flight.
Bud offered to help. With a wise nod of his head, he remarked, “I want to be around to turn on that blower if you get on the wrong side of the door!”
After the faulty latch control was repaired, the boys went back to check the hydraulic charts. Presently Tom pronounced himself satisfied with the findings and he and Bud made their way out through the ship’s air lock. They were just climbing down the accommodation ladder when a voice blared out over the loudspeaker: