Chapter 24

           Mr.andMrs.AntolinihadthisveryswankyapartmentoveronSuttonPlace,withtwostepsthatyougodowntogetinthelivingroom,andabarandall.I’dbeentherequiteafewtimes,becauseafterIleftElktonHillsMr.AntoilnicameuptoourhousefordinnerquitefrequentlytofindouthowIwasgettingalong.Hewasn’tmarriedthen.Thenwhenhegotmarried,IusedtoplaytenniswithheandMrs.Antoliniquitefrequently,outattheWestSideTennisClub,inForestHills,LongIsland.Mrs.Antolini,belongedthere.Shewaslousywithdough.ShewasaboutsixtyyearsolderthanMr.Antolini,buttheyseemedtogetalongquitewell.Foronething,theywerebothveryintellectual,especiallyMr.Antoliniexceptthathewasmorewittythanintellectualwhenyouwerewithhim,sortoflikeD.B.Mrs.Antoliniwasmostlyserious.Shehadasthmaprettybad.TheybothreadallD.B.’sstories—Mrs.Antolini,too—andwhenD.B.wenttoHollywood,Mr.Antoliniphonedhimupandtoldhimnottogo.Hewentanyway,though.Mr.AntolinisaidthatanybodythatcouldwritelikeD.B.hadnobusinessgoingouttoHollywood.That’sexactlywhatIsaid,practically.

           Iwouldhavewalkeddowntotheirhouse,becauseIdidn’twanttospendanyofPhoebe’sChristmasdoughthatIdidn’thaveto,butIfeltfunnywhenIgotoutside.Sortofdizzy.SoItookacab.Ididn’twantto,butIdid.Ihadahelluvatimeevenfindingacab.

           OldMr.AntoliniansweredthedoorwhenIrangthebell—aftertheelevatorboyfinallyletmeup,thebastard.Hehadonhisbathrobeandslippers,andhehadahighballinonehand.Hewasaprettysophisticatedguy,andhewasaprettyheavydrinker."Holden,m’boy!"hesaid."MyGod,he’sgrownanothertwentyinches.Finetoseeyou."