The three boys ate hungrily as course after course appeared on the middle of the table, via the direct shaft from the kitchen. So absorbed was Manning that he did not notice the approach of a tall dark young man of about his own age, dressed in the red-brown uniform of the Passenger Space Service. But the young man, who wore a captain's high-billed hat, suddenly caught sight of Roger.
"Manning," he called, "what brings you here?"
"Al James!" cried Roger and quickly got up to shake hands. "Of all the guys in the universe to show up! Sit down and have a bite with us."
The space skipper sat down. Roger introduced him to Tom and Astro. There was a round of small talk.
"Whatever made you become a Space Cadet, Roger?" asked James finally.
"Oh, you know how it is," said Roger. "You can get used to anything."
Astro almost choked on a mouthful of food. He shot a glance at Tom, who shook his head as though warning him not to speak.
James grinned broadly. "I remember how you used to talk back home. The Space Cadets were a bunch of tin soldiers trying to feel important. The Academy was a lot of space gas. I guess, now, you've changed your mind."
"Maybe I have," said Roger. He glanced uneasily at his two friends, but they pretended to be busy eating. "Maybe I have." Roger's eyes narrowed, his voice became a lazy drawl. "At that it's better'n being a man in a monkey suit, with nothing to do but impress the passengers and order around the crew."
"Wait a minute," said James. "What kind of a crack is that?"