Над пропастью во ржи

           "Yougotrobbed."Hestartedcleaninghisgoddamfingernailswiththeendofamatch.Hewasalwayscleaninghisfingernails.Itwasfunny,inaway.Histeethwerealwaysmossy-looking,andhisearswerealwaysdirtyashell,buthewasalwayscleaninghisfingernails. Iguesshethoughtthatmadehimaveryneatguy.Hetookanotherlookatmyhatwhilehewascleaningthem."Uphomewewearahatlikethattoshootdeerin,forChrissake,"hesaid."That’sadeershootinghat." 

           "Likehellitis."Itookitoffandlookedatit.Isortofclosedoneeye,likeIwastakingaimatit."Thisisapeopleshootinghat,"Isaid."Ishootpeopleinthishat." 

           "Yourfolksknowyougotkickedoutyet?" 

           "Nope." 

           "Wherethehell’sStradlaterat,anyway?" 

           "Downatthegame.He’sgotadate."Iyawned.Iwasyawningallovertheplace. 

           Foronething,theroomwastoodamnhot.Itmadeyousleepy.AtPencey,youeitherfrozetodeathordiedoftheheat. 

           "ThegreatStradlater,"Ackleysaid."—Hey.Lendmeyourscissorsasecond,willya?Yagot’emhandy?" 

           "No.Ipackedthemalready.They’rewayinthetopofthecloset." 

           "Get’emasecond,willya?"Ackleysaid,"IgotthishangnailIwanttocutoff."