Над пропастью во ржи

           "You’rearealprince.You’reagentlemanandascholar,kid,"Isaid.Hereallywas,too."Doyouhappentohaveanycigarettes,byanychance?—Say‘no’orI’lldropdead." 

           "No,Idon’t,asamatteroffact.Listen,whatthehellwasthefightabout?" 

           Ididn’tanswerhim.AllIdidwas,Igotupandwentoverandlookedoutthewindow.Ifeltsolonesome,allofasudden.IalmostwishedIwasdead. 

           "Whatthehellwasthefightabout,anyhow?"Ackleysaid,foraboutthefiftiethtime.Hecertainlywasaboreaboutthat. 

           "Aboutyou,"Isaid. 

           "Aboutme,forChrissake?" 

           "Yeah.Iwasdefendingyourgoddamhonor.Stradlatersaidyouhadalousypersonality.Icouldn’tlethimgetawaywiththatstuff." 

           Thatgothimexcited. "Hedid?Nokidding?Hedid?" 

           ItoldhimIwasonlykidding,andthenIwentoverandlaiddownonEly’sbed.Boy,didIfeelrotten.Ifeltsodamnlonesome. 

           "Thisroomstinks,"Isaid."Icansmellyoursocksfromwayoverhere.Don’tchaeversendthemtothelaundry?" 

           "Ifyoudon’tlikeit,youknowwhatyoucando,"Ackleysaid.Whatawittyguy."How‘boutturningoffthegoddamlight?" 

           Ididn’tturnitoffrightaway,though.IjustkeptlayingthereonEly’sbed,thinkingaboutJaneandall.