Над пропастью во ржи

           "Theducks.Doyouknow,byanychance?Imeandoessomebodycomearoundinatruckorsomethingandtakethemaway,ordotheyflyawaybythemselves—gosouthorsomething?"

           OldHorwitzturnedallthewayaroundandlookedatme.Hewasaveryimpatient-typeguy.Hewasn’tabadguy,though."HowthehellshouldIknow?"hesaid."HowthehellshouldIknowastupidthinglikethat?"

           "Well,don’tgetsoreaboutit,"Isaid.Hewassoreaboutitorsomething.

           "Who’ssore?Nobody’ssore."

           Istoppedhavingaconversationwithhim,ifhewasgoingtogetsodamntouchyaboutit.Buthestarteditupagainhimself.Heturnedallthewayaroundagain,andsaid,"Thefishdon’tgonoplace.Theystayrightwheretheyare,thefish.Rightinthegoddamlake."

           "Thefish—that’sdifferent.Thefishisdifferent.I’mtalkingabouttheducks,"Isaid.

           "What’sdifferentaboutit?Nothin’sdifferentaboutit,"Horwitzsaid.Everythinghesaid,hesoundedsoreaboutsomething."It’stougherforthefish,thewinterandall,thanitisfortheducks,forChrissake.Useyourhead,forChrissake."

           Ididn’tsayanythingforaboutaminute.ThenIsaid,"Allright.Whatdotheydo,thefishandall,whenthatwholelittlelake’sasolidblockofice,peopleskatingonitandall?"

           OldHorwitzturnedaroundagain."Whatthehellayameanwhatdotheydo?"heyelledatme."Theystayrightwheretheyare,forChrissake."