Chapter 3

Holden starts this chapter out by telling us that he's a terrific liar. He mentions where his room is in Pencey, a dorm called the Ossenburger and about the man it's named after. When Holden gets to his room he talks about this red hunting hat he bought that day in New York for a dollar. He starts to read, but a senior named Robert Ackley interrupts him. Ackley lives across from Holden and enters through the shared shower. Holden describes him as basically an ugly 18 year old, who's habits are far beyond gross. Ackley hates Holden's roommate Ward Stradlater. Holden drops a lot of hints that he would rather read, but Ackley doesn't get the message, or ignores them, and continues to mess with all of their stuff. Ackley then starts to ask Holden a ton of questions about Stradlater and talks about how conceited he is. Stradlater of course comes in, but doesn't care that Ackley is in his room. He says hi to the both of them, and then asks Holden if he could borrow his coat. Ackley goes to his room and Stradlater goes to shave.

Response- Eck, Holden describes Ackley as one naaasty kid! Stradlater is probably one of those kids that tends to get whatever he wants, because he asked Holden for his coat like he knew for sure that he was going to be able to borrow it.