What is the opening line in chapter 12 of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton?

Answer 1

The courtroom is nearly empty: just a few Socs, their parents, and friends of Ponyboy are there. Ponyboy is surprised to hear that all the Socs think that Johnny killed Bob, but he decides he will tell the judge that he, in fact, was the murderer as soon as he is called up. When he is called, however, the judge doesn't ask him very many questions. He just tells him he's free to go. Later, Ponyboy finds out that the doctor has talked to the judge, telling him that Ponyboy is too ill and upset to answer serious questions. Over the next few weeks, Ponyboy's entire life is affected by his sadness, confusion and anger. He stops eating. He can't even keep track of where his shoes are. He starts doing poorly at school. Finally, his English teacher tells him he will fail him unless he writes a good essay about something from his own life. Ponyboy thinks to himself sarcastically, "My first trip to the zoo. Oh boy, oh boy." Chapter 12, pg. 170 That afternoon at lunch time, Ponyboy is with a few friends when a car full of Socs pulls up. When they threaten Ponyboy, he breaks a bottle and makes it clear that he will cut them with one end of it if he has to. They get scared and drive away. Two-Bit and Steve are concerned--they don't want Ponyboy to be a thug like them. They know he is different and they want him to stay that way. When he starts cleaning up the glass from the bottle, though, they know he is still his old self.

Answer 2

The hearing was not like anything I thought it would be.