Chapter 8

Holden leaves late in the evening. At the station, he manages to clean his face with snow. As he waits, he relishes the chance to ride the train. Holden especially likes to read magazines on train rides. At the Trenton station, a woman boards the train, and upon observing the Pencey logo on his luggage, she tells Holden that her son, Ernest Morrow, is also a student at Pencey. Holden thinks Ernest is a “bastard” and detests him. However, he lies to the woman and tells her that her son is well-loved by the other students. He makes her happy by telling her that Ernest was nominated for Class President but had declined the role out of humility. When the woman asks him his name, Holden lies and gives her the school janitor’s name. Holden then invites her for a drink at the train’s bar. Expectedly, Ernest’s mother does not accept the invitation, since Holden is underage.

He also lies about the reason for his going home so early. He says he has a tumor in his head. The woman gets off at Newark and invites Holden to visit during the summer. Holden once again lies to her: he tells her that he will be in South America, visiting his grandmother.

It is worth noting that although Holden despises Ernest, he does not tell Ernest’s mother what he really thinks of her son. Though he lies, he does so only to make her happy.