* must re-read it after calling removeFromChain.
     *
     * @param first the first entry of the table
     * @param entry the entry being removed from the table
     * @return the new first entry for the table
     */
    @GuardedBy("this")
    @Nullable E removeFromChain(E first, E entry) {
      int newCount = count;
      E newFirst = entry.getNext();