Chapter 23

Holden has fond memories of Mr. Antolini, a person he really respects. He remembers that it was Mr. Antolini who had covered James Castle’s body after the fall. Mr. Antolini receives Holden’s call and tells him he could visit him right away. Holden is pleased to hear this. He goes back to Phoebe’s room, and they spend some time dancing together. Soon, Holden hears their parents’ car approaching. He switches off the light and hides in the closet. Their mother comes to check on Phoebe and mentions that she just saw the light going off. She also smells cigarette smoke and asks Phoebe if she has been smoking. Phoebe says she just took a puff. Her mother is not pleased, but she asks her to go back to sleep and leaves.

Holden emerges out of the closet and prepares to leave as well. He is running low on money and asks Phoebe if she could loan him two dollars. Phoebe, however, gives him her entire savings; she’d been saving up the money to buy Christmas presents, and she makes Holden promise that he will come to her play on Friday. Holden is overwhelmed by this gesture and begins to cry. Phoebe is unhappy to see his brother cry and tells him he could stay the night. Holden, however, decides to leave, but not before giving his hunting hat to Phoebe, who loves collecting strange hats.