Над пропастью во ржи

           "Howareyou,Mr.Antolini?How’sMrs.Antolini?"

           "We’rebothjustdandy.Let’shavethatcoat."Hetookmycoatoffmeandhungitup."Iexpectedtoseeaday-oldinfantinyourarms.Nowheretoturn.Snowflakesinyoureyelashes."He’saverywittyguysometimes.Heturnedaroundandyelledouttothekitchen,"Lillian!How’sthecoffeecoming?"LillianwasMrs.Antolini’sfirstname.

           "It’sallready,"sheyelledback."IsthatHolden?Hello,Holden!"

           "Hello,Mrs.Antolini!"

           Youwerealwaysyellingwhenyouwerethere.That’sbecausethebothofthemwereneverinthesameroomatthesametime.Itwassortoffunny.

           "Sitdown,Holden,"Mr.Antolinisaid.Youcouldtellhewasalittleoiledup.Theroomlookedlikethey’djusthadaparty.Glasseswereallovertheplace,anddisheswithpeanutsinthem."Excusetheappearanceoftheplace,"hesaid."We’vebeenentertainingsomeBuffalofriendsofMrs.Antolini’s...Somebuffaloes,asamatteroffact."

           Ilaughed,andMrs.Antoliniyelledsomethingintomefromthekitchen,butIcouldn’thearher."What’dshesay?"IaskedMr.Antolini.

           "Shesaidnottolookatherwhenshecomesin.Shejustarosefromthesack.Haveacigarette.Areyousmokingnow?"

           "Thanks,"Isaid.Itookacigarettefromtheboxheofferedme."Justonceinawhile.I’mamoderatesmoker."

           "I’llbetyouare,"hesaid.Hegavemealightfromthisbiglighteroffthetable."So.YouandPenceyarenolongerone,"hesaid.