Над пропастью во ржи

           Ittastedlousy.Imust’vesmokedaroundtwopackssinceIleftPencey.

           Allofasudden,whileIwaslayingtheresmoking,somebodyknockedonthedoor.Ikepthopingitwasn’tmydoortheywereknockingon,butIknewdamnwellitwas.Idon’tknowhowIknew,butIknew.Iknewwhoitwas,too.I’mpsychic.

           "Who’sthere?"Isaid.Iwasprettyscared.I’mveryyellowaboutthosethings.

           Theyjustknockedagain,though.Louder.

           FinallyIgotoutofbed,withjustmypajamason,andopenedthedoor.Ididn’tevenhavetoturnthelightonintheroom,becauseitwasalreadydaylight.OldSunnyandMaurice,thepimpyelevatorguy,werestandingthere.

           "What’sthematter?Wuddayawant?"Isaid.Boy,myvoicewasshakinglikehell.

           "Nothin’much,"oldMauricesaid."Justfivebucks."Hedidallthetalkingforthetwoofthem.OldSunnyjuststoodtherenexttohim,withhermouthopenandall.

           "Ipaidheralready.Igaveherfivebucks.Askher,"Isaid.Boy,wasmyvoiceshaking.

           "It’stenbucks,chief.Itoleyathat.Tenbucksforathrow,fifteenbuckstillnoon.Itoleyathat."

           "Youdidnottellmethat.Yousaidfivebucksathrow.Yousaidfifteenbuckstillnoon,allright,butIdistinctlyheardyou—"