Над пропастью во ржи

           "Thefrontdoor!"shesaidinthisloudwhisper."It’sthem!"

           Iquickjumpedupandranoverandturnedoffthelightoverthedesk.ThenIjammedoutmycigaretteonmyshoeandputitinmypocket.ThenIfannedhelloutoftheair,togetthesmokeout—Ishouldn’tevenhavebeensmoking,forGod’ssake.ThenIgrabbedmyshoesandgotintheclosetandshutthedoor.Boy,myheartwasbeatinglikeabastard.

           Iheardmymothercomeintheroom.

           "Phoebe?"shesaid."Now,stopthat.Isawthelight,younglady."

           "Hello!"IheardoldPhoebesay."Icouldn’tsleep.Didyouhaveagoodtime?"

           "Marvelous,"mymothersaid,butyoucouldtellshedidn’tmeanit.Shedoesn’tenjoyherselfmuchwhenshegoesout."Whyareyouawake,mayIask?Wereyouwarmenough?"

           "Iwaswarmenough,Ijustcouldn’tsleep."

           "Phoebe,haveyoubeensmokingacigaretteinhere?Tellmethetruth,please,younglady."

           "What?"oldPhoebesaid.

           "Youheardme."

           "Ijustlitoneforonesecond.Ijusttookonepuff.ThenIthrewitoutthewindow."

           "Why,mayIask?"