Над пропастью во ржи

           "Oh."Ididn’twanttotakeherChristmasdough.

           "Youwantsome?"shesaid.

           "Idon’twanttotakeyourChristmasdough."

           "Icanlendyousome,"shesaid.ThenIheardheroveratD.B.’sdesk,openingamilliondrawersandfeelingaroundwithherhand.Itwaspitch-black,itwassodarkintheroom."Ifyougoaway,youwon’tseemeintheplay,"shesaid.Hervoicesoundedfunnywhenshesaidit.

           "Yes,Iwill.Iwon’tgowaybeforethat.YouthinkIwannamisstheplay?"Isaid."WhatI’lldo,I’llprobablystayatMr.Antolini’shousetillmaybeTuesdaynight.ThenI’llcomehome.IfIgetachance,I’llphoneya."

           "Here,"oldPhoebesaid.Shewastryingtogivemethedough,butshecouldn’tfindmyhand.

           "Where?"

           Sheputthedoughinmyhand.

           "Hey,Idon’tneedallthis,"Isaid."Justgivemetwobucks,isall.Nokidding—Here."Itriedtogiveitbacktoher,butshewouldn’ttakeit.

           "Youcantakeitall.Youcanpaymeback.Bringittotheplay."

           "Howmuchisit,forGod’ssake?"

           "Eightdollarsandeighty-fivecents.Sixty-fivecents.Ispentsome."

           Then,allofasudden,Istartedtocry.Icouldn’thelpit.Ididitsonobodycouldhearme,butIdidit.