noon
Each of the two inventors had his own drawing board , designed to swing out from the wall at the press of a button . Small scale models of some of their most famous inventions were also placed about the office , including a red-and-silver replica of Tom 's first rocket ship , the _ Star Spear _ ; a blue plastic model of the jetmarine in which he had fought a band of undersea pirates ; and also a gleaming silvery model of Tom 's latest , unique space craft , the _ Cosmic Sailer _ . Because of his father 's absence in Washington , the burden of administering the vast experimental station now fell on Tom 's youthful shoulders . Telephone calls , letters , and other detailed work occupied him until noon . Chow broke in , bringing a lunch tray with milk , a hot chicken sandwich , and a chocolate eclair . Tom ate hungrily . `` Kind o ' peps up the ole supercharger , eh ? ''