"The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, Chapters 4–6

Johnnycake made a kind of gasp and his eyes were smoldering.

My teeth chattered unceasingly and I couldn’t stop them.

He was pretty well crocked, which made me apprehensive. If Dally was drunk and in a dangerous mood....

Yet in his hard face there was character, pride, and a savage defiance of the world. He could never love Cherry Valance back. It would be a miracle if Dally loved anything.

“Oh, shoot, kid” — Dally glanced contemptuously over his shoulder — “I was in the bedroom.”

“Me and Shepard had a run-in and I cracked some ribs. I just needed a place to lay over.” He rubbed his side ruefully.

“Yessir.” I managed to look sheepish. “We’re playing army and I’m supposed to report to headquarters there.”

But this church gave me a kind of creepy feeling. What do you call it? Premonition?

I looked at Johnny imploringly.

I leaned back next to him sullenly.

I was trying to find the meaning the poet had in mind, but it eluded me.

“You’re starved?” Johnny was so indignant he nearly squeaked.

“Gee,” Johnny said wistfully, “it sure will be good to get into a car again.”

“My parents,” Johnny repeated doggedly, “did they ask about me?”

“I was scared,” Johnny said with conviction.