title: Why doesn't calling a static variable chained from a static method that returns null throw a NPE?
body: <p>I have the following code</p>
  
  <pre><code>public class Test {
      static String mountain = "Everest";
  
      static Test favorite() {
          System.out.print("Mount ");
          return null;
      }
  
      public static void main(String[] args) {
          System.out.println(favorite().mountain);
      }
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I thought it would raise a <code>NPE</code> but it is giving <code>Mount Everest</code> as output can anyone clarify?</p>