Над пропастью во ржи

           Hewasalwaysgoingdownthecorridor,afterhe’dhadashower,snappinghissoggyoldwettowelatpeople’sasses.That’sexactlythekindofaguyhewas. 

           "Oh,hownice!"theladysaid.Butnotcorny.Shewasjustniceandall."ImusttellErnestwemet,"shesaid."MayIaskyourname,dear?" 

           "RudolfSchmidt,"Itoldher.Ididn’tfeellikegivinghermywholelifehistory.RudolfSchmidtwasthenameofthejanitorofourdorm. 

           "DoyoulikePencey?"sheaskedme. 

           "Pencey?It’snottoobad.It’snotparadiseoranything,butit’sasgoodasmostschools.Someofthefacultyareprettyconscientious." 

           "Ernestjustadoresit." 

           "Iknowhedoes,"Isaid.ThenIstartedshootingtheoldcraparoundalittlebit."Headaptshimselfverywelltothings.Hereallydoes.Imeanhereallyknowshowtoadapthimself." 

           "Doyouthinkso?"sheaskedme.Shesoundedinterestedashell. 

           "Ernest?Sure,"Isaid.ThenIwatchedhertakeoffhergloves.Boy,wasshelousywithrocks. 

           "Ijustbrokeanail,gettingoutofacab,"shesaid.Shelookedupatmeandsortofsmiled.Shehadaterrificallynicesmile. Shereallydid.Mostpeoplehavehardlyanysmileatall,oralousyone."Ernest’sfatherandIsometimesworryabouthim,"shesaid.