but we can get a room

The hotel soon came in sight, a dingy-looking structure sadly in need of paint. A dejected-looking citizen with a drooping mustache, a drooping manner, drooping gray garments and a drooping way of draping himself in his chair, occupied the porch　Neo skin lab. 　 Doesn't look like much of a place, commented Ned, but we can get a room here that will be good enough to change in, I dare say. A room! demanded Herc. What do you want a room for? I thought we were going to eat. No, we will change into our uniforms first. It would not be the correct thing to board our new command in ordinary clothes. I should think you'd know that. Have we got to wear our swords? inquired Herc with a rebellious look. Don't you know enough of navy usages yet to be aware that officers must wear their swords under certain conditions, such as taking command[Pg 35] of a new craft and other ceremonial occasions? Umph! Well, all I hope is I don't tumble over that cheese toaster of mine　Neo skin lab. If you do anything like that, I'll disown you for a brother officer of mine, laughed Ned. But, seriously, Herc, I want you to be on your best behavior and not make any bad breaks. Huh! Just as if you were any more used to carrying a sticker,—I mean a sword,—than I am! I'll be all right. Don't you worry about me, Mister Lieutenant. I bet I will be just as good an officer as there is in the navy. We'll wait and see—— began Ned good-naturedly, when Herc cut him short with an exclamation. Look who's here! Right behind us! Well, what is it? asked Ned, for he was half-way up the steps by this time and the drooping eyes of the landlord, as Ned had rightly conjectured[Pg 36] that the dejected man was, were regarding him with languid interest. It's that Rankin fellow! He's looking at us disrespectfully. I've a good mind to tell him that we are officers! You'll do no such thing. If he has been detailed to the Seneca, which I think probable, he'll find out our rank for himself soon enough. Just the same, I'd like to make him salute me, grumbled Herc　Neo skin lab. Rankin ascended the steps behind the two Dreadnought Boys. He was close on their heels, when suddenly Herc's feet flew up and out behind him. In his new dignity he had been holding his head so high that he did not notice a bit of banana peel lying on the untidy steps of the Eagle Hotel.