Над пропастью во ржи

           OldStradlaterwasputtingVitalisonhishair.MyVitalis. 

           "She’sadancer,"Isaid."Balletandall.Sheusedtopracticeabouttwohourseveryday,rightinthemiddleofthehottestweatherandall. Shewasworriedthatitmightmakeherlegslousy—allthickandall.Iusedtoplaycheckerswithherallthetime." 

           "Youusedtoplaywhatwithherallthetime?" 

           "Checkers." 

           "Checkers,forChrissake!" 

           "Yeah.Shewouldn’tmoveanyofherkings.Whatshe’ddo,whenshe’dgetaking,shewouldn’tmoveit.She’djustleaveitinthebackrow. She’dgetthemalllinedupinthebackrow.Thenshe’dneverusethem.Shejustlikedthewaytheylookedwhentheywereallinthebackrow." 

           Stradlaterdidn’tsayanything.Thatkindofstuffdoesn’tinterestmostpeople. 

           "Hermotherbelongedtothesameclubwedid,"Isaid."Iusedtocaddyonceinawhile,justtomakesomedough. Icaddy’dforhermotheracoupleoftimes.Shewentaroundinaboutahundredandseventy,fornineholes." 

           Stradlaterwasn’thardlylistening.Hewascombinghisgorgeouslocks. 

           "Ioughtagodownandatleastsayhellotoher,"Isaid. 

           "Whydon’tcha?" 

           "Iwill,inaminute."