
early morning, after Ponyboy returns home
Darry slaps Ponyboy
Ponyboy arrives home at two in the morning. Darrel Curtis yells at him for being late and worrying them. When Sodapop Curtis tries to defend Ponyboy, Darry turns on him. Ponyboy explodes, and Darry slaps him hard. Stunned and hurt, Ponyboy runs out of the house, determined to run away.