Spencer’s farewell turns into a lecture on discipline, and Holden’s mind drifts. He wonders about the ducks down at the lagoon near Central Park South in New York City. Where do they go when the lagoon freezes in the winter? Does someone take them to a zoo? Do they fly away? He reflects on Mr. Haas, the phony headmaster at Elkton Hills, one of Holden’s previous schools. Haas was very charming to successful-looking parents, but if a boy’s mother were fat or his father poorly dressed, the headmaster snubbed them cruelly.
Holden finally manages to escape from Mr. Spencer’s lecture, claiming he needs to get to the gym to retrieve his equipment. He has second thoughts about leaving “old Spencer” but mainly wants out. Politely turning down a cup of Mrs. Spencer’s renowned hot chocolate and promising to write, he gladly leaves.
