Holden defends Stradlater, claiming that he is conceited, but still generous. Ackley claims that he hates Stradlater, that 'goddamn sonuvabitch,' but Holden tells Ackley that he hates Stradlater for the simple reason that Stradlater told him that he should actually brush his teeth. Ackley cuts his nails right in front of Holden, and asks about Ward Stradlater, Holden's roommate. Holden tries to ignore him, then pretends that he is blind to annoy Ackley. Holden describes Ackley as having a terrible personality and an even worse complexion. Ackley, a student whose room is connected to Holden's, barges in on Holden. Holden discusses the books that he likes to read: he prefers Ring Lardner, but is now reading Dinesen's Out of Africa. Holden returns to his room, where he puts on a red hunting hat they he bought in New York. Ossenburger is a wealthy undertaker who graduated from the school Holden tells how false Ossenburger seemed when he gave a speech exalting faith in Jesus and how another student farted during the ceremony. At Pencey, Holden lives in the Ossenburger Memorial Wing of the new dorms. He admits that he lied to Spencer by telling him that he had to go to the gym. Holden claims that he is the most terrific liar one could meet. Spencer say 'good luck,' a phrase that he particularly loathes. Spencer that he is just going through a phase. Haas, who would be charming toward everyone but the 'funny-looking parents.' Holden claims he has little interest in the future, and assures Mr. He mentions the particular quality of the headmaster, Mr. Spencer that it is a long story, but explains in narration that the people there were phonies. Spencer asks why Holden quit Elkton Hills, he tells Mr. Spencer continue to talk, Holden's mind wanders he thinks about ice skating in Central Park. Spencer, admitting that he is not interested in the Egyptians, despite Spencer's interesting lectures, and that he will accept if Mr. At the end of the exam, Holden left a note for Mr. Spencer says that he met with Holden's parents, who are 'grand' people, but Holden dismisses that word as 'phony.' Spencer then tells Holden that he failed him in History because he knew nothing, and even reads his exam essay about the Egyptians to him. Holden tells that, at sixteen, he is over six feet tall and has some gray hair, but still acts like a child, as others often tell him. Spencer that his parents will be upset, for this is his fourth private school so far. Thurmer was correct, and Holden agrees with him, but thinks instead that life is only a game if you are on the right side. Thurmer told him about how 'life is a game' and you should 'play it according to the rules' when he expelled him. Spencer sits in a ratty old bathrobe, and asks Holden to sit down. Holden finds the Spencer's house somewhat depressing, smelling of Vicks Nose Drops and clearly indicating the old age of its inhabitants. Holden had recently been expelled for failing four classes. Holden does not attend the football game, instead choosing to say goodbye to Spencer, his history teacher, who knew that Holden was not coming back to Pencey. The fencing team was angry at Holden, but he thought the entire event was funny in a way. Although they were supposed to have a meet with the McBurney School, Holden left the foils on the subway. Holden, the manager of the fencing team, had just returned from New York with the team. Although she is unattractive and a bit pathetic, to Holden she seems nice enough, for she does not lavish praise upon her father. Selma Thurmer, the daughter of the headmaster, is at the game. Holden begins his story during the Saturday of the football game with Saxon Hall, which was supposed to be a very big deal at Pencey. He also mentions his brother, D.B., who is nearby in Hollywood 'being a prostitute.' Holden was a student at Pencey Prep in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, and he mocks their advertisements, which claim to have been molding boys into clear-thinking young men since 1888. He describes his parents as nice, but 'touchy as hell.' Instead, Holden vows to tell about what happened to him around last Christmas, before he had to take it easy. The Catcher in the Rye begins with the statement by the narrator, Holden Caulfield, that he will not tell about his 'lousy' childhood and 'all that David Copperfield kind of crap' because such details bore him.

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