Chapter 12

Holden takes a cab to Ernie’s, and on the way he starts talking to the cab driver, Horwitz. He asks Horwitz if he knows what happens to the ducks in Central Park in winter. The driver starts talking about the fish in the lake instead. Holden tries to remind Horwitz that the question was about the ducks, but Horwitz continues talking about the fish.

At Ernie’s, which is crowded with college students, Holden orders a drink. Unlike at Edmont, he is not asked for an ID. Holden feels Ernie and D.B. are extremely similar in that they are both talented artists who sold out. Holden notices that Ernie has placed a mirror in front of him and a spotlight on his face, so that no one missed his expressions.

Soon, he meets a woman named Lillian Simmons, his brother D.B.’s former girlfriend. She recognizes him and introduces Holden to the man she is with. When they shake hands, Holden finds the man’s grip too firm. He even feels that Lillian’s companion might be the type of person who prefers to crush people’s hands during a handshake. Holden is annoyed by the two of them and excuses himself. Though he had wanted to listen to Ernie, he leaves so that he can avoid the two of them.

In Holden’s assessment of Ernie and D.B., readers get a glimpse of Salinger’s own values: that an artist should live for his art and not compromise for wealth and fame. Though Holden tends to dismiss people quickly, he is also quite observant. For instance, he quickly notes that all Lillian wants to do is impress him so that he might tell D.B. about her.