Над пропастью во ржи

           "Iknow."

           Thenwhatshedid—itdamnnearkilledme—shereachedinmycoatpocketandtookoutmyredhuntinghatandputitonmyhead.

           "Don’tyouwantit?"Isaid.

           "Youcanwearitawhile."

           "Okay.Hurryup,though,now.You’regonnamissyourride.Youwon’tgetyourownhorseoranything."

           Shekepthangingaround,though.

           "Didyoumeanitwhatyousaid?Youreallyaren’tgoingawayanywhere?Areyoureallygoinghomeafterwards?"sheaskedme.

           "Yeah,"Isaid.Imeantit,too.Iwasn’tlyingtoher.Ireallydidgohomeafterwards."Hurryup,now,"Isaid."Thething’sstarting."

           Sheranandboughtherticketandgotbackonthegoddamcarrouseljustintime.Thenshewalkedallthewayaroundittillshegotherownhorseback.Thenshegotonit.ShewavedtomeandIwavedback.

           Boy,itbegantorainlikeabastard.Inbuckets,IsweartoGod.Alltheparentsandmothersandeverybodywentoverandstoodrightundertheroofofthecarrousel,sotheywouldn’tgetsoakedtotheskinoranything,butIstuckaroundonthebenchforquiteawhile.Igotprettysoakingwet,especiallymyneckandmypants.