24

Holden arrives late at the Antolinis’ Sutton Place apartment, noting their wealth and past rapport. Mr. Antolini, drinking and witty, welcomes him; Mrs. Antolini brings coffee and retires. Prodded, Holden describes failing Oral Expression and defends digressions, recalling a classmate mocked for straying from the point.

Mr. Antolini asks probing questions about focus and then pivots to concern: he fears Holden is “riding for a fall,” possibly drifting into bitterness or shallow cynicism. He outlines a worse, endless “fall” born of giving up on what one’s environment can’t supply. He writes Holden a quote by Wilhelm Stekel contrasting dying nobly for a cause with living humbly for one, urging immediate direction.

Expanding his counsel, Mr. Antolini argues Holden loves knowledge and will benefit from schooling once past rigid teachers. He says literature and history show Holden isn’t alone in moral confusion, and that scholarly records can guide him. Education, he says, can help Holden size his mind and “dress” it with fitting ideas, saving time and instilling humility.

Exhausted, Holden makes up the couch with Mr. Antolini and mentions Sally and Jane. He thanks them and falls asleep, still mulling the advice. Later, Holden wakes to find Mr. Antolini sitting on the floor in the dark, patting his head. Startled and anxious, Holden hurriedly dresses, claims he must retrieve his bags, and ignores Mr. Antolini’s attempts to calm him.

Shaken and sweating, Holden leaves despite Mr. Antolini calling him a “very, very strange boy” and inviting him back. In the elevator, Holden resolves to read good books but remains rattled, recalling similar “perverty” incidents and fleeing into the night.