Final answer:
Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, says "I liked old Morrow's mother" in a moment of empathy and idealization of a peer's mother during a train ride.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote "I liked old Morrow's mother" is spoken by Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, specifically in Chapter 8. Holden expresses this sentiment while reflecting on his brief interaction with Mrs. Morrow during a train ride. Although Holden has just met her and doesn't actually know her son very well, he fabricates a more positive image of her son to make her feel better. This interaction highlights Holden's complexity as a character; despite his often cynical view of the world, he shows moments of warmth and empathy, especially towards the mothers of his peers, whom he tends to idealize.