He followed her gaze and saw a young boy sitting near a shop's entrance, waiting. He looked somewhat familiar.

In a flash, Holden remembered. This was the same boy who had been hiding beneath his table at the ball the previous night - Melon, if he recalled correctly.

As Holden pondered why Adele was reacting so strongly, she called out in a soft voice, "Melon."

It was the very first time he had heard his daughter address someone.

Holden found himself both astonished and delighted.