Chapter 16

It is noon by the time the nuns leave, and Holden has two hours to kill before meeting Sally. As he walks around Broadway, he watches an underprivileged family walking by. A young boy, seemingly without a care in the world, walks along singing. Cars zoom past Holden, and he feels better.

Holden wishes to buy the “My Little Shirley Beans” record for Phoebe, and, luckily, the first shop he visits has the record. He decides to go to Central Park, thinking he might meet Phoebe there, since she visits the place frequently. He is happy at the prospect of running into his younger sister. He also finally decides to call Jane. However, when Jane’s mother answers the phone, Holden hangs up without saying a word.

Holden then buys tickets for a play titled I know My Love. At Central Park, he does not meet Phoebe, but he does meet a girl who knows her, and she mentions that Phoebe may be at the museum. He arrives at the museum, but does not go inside. Though he is not particularly enthusiastic about his date with Sally, he catches a cab and proceeds to meet her at the Biltmore Hotel.