Ackley and Stradlater — The Catcher in the Rye

Holden goes next door to Robert Ackley, who barges in, picks at his skin, and asks questions Holden does not want. Ackley is unpleasant and still better than an empty room. Holden tolerates him, trades insults, and goes back to the room he shares with Ward Stradlater.

Stradlater is shaving for a date and wants Holden's hound's-tooth jacket. The date is Jane Gallagher, from summers in Maine. Holden comes apart at the name. He asks what Stradlater even remembers. Stradlater cannot say whether Jane keeps her kings in the back row at checkers, the detail Holden treats as the point. Ackley lingers. Stradlater sends him out and keeps admiring the mirror.

Then comes the favour. Write a composition while I am out, Stradlater says, something about a room or a house. Holden agrees, hoping the favour will buy news of Jane later. Stradlater leaves in Holden's jacket, pleased with himself. Jane's name stays in the room after the door shuts. He already suspects the date will go badly, and the jacket on Stradlater's shoulders makes the suspicion look finished. Asking for the essay is how Stradlater keeps the upper hand without raising his voice. The room feels smaller after he is gone.