To this confession, Levin remained mute. He was shifting in his mind for a wise word when he heard her laugh embarrassedly.  

He listened with interest, finally sitting again. 

 “Just imagine. I came out here to sober up and before I spill the facts of my existence in some poor victim’s lap and look what I’ve done.”  

“Poor Mr. Levin, you came out for a breath of air and I’ve told you all I know.” 

“I’m sorry I intruded.” 

“We could all do with a cause.” 

“Forgiven, Mr. Levin, forgiven. You’ve been more than kind to listen.”  

Pauline said, “Leo Duffy used to say, ‘A good cause is the highest excitement.’” 

He promised solemnly he would not violate her confidences.  

Levin copied it on a piece of paper and slipped it into his pocket. “You mentioned Duffy,” he said after a while. “I didn’t know you knew him. That is, I suppose everyone did, but I never heard you mention before. What kind of person was he? I’m curious about him.” “People talk about him but don’t say much. Was he a friend of yours?” 

Pauline raised her hands as if to lift He thought for a minute that she would raise her veil, but to his disappointment, did not, and sat with her Pauline sat with quiet hands clasped in her lap. “What have you heard?” 

“Why?” she asked. 

“It’s just that I’ve heard a lot.” 

“What for instance?” The question came forth with emotion, but he could be sure. 

“This and that. That he made trouble. I didn’t take this too seriously. In fact, I liked most of what I heard about him. He sounds as though he livened things up.” 

“Yes, Hhe did,” she said, and went on. “Martin Leo was odd different but honest, never  and not the slightest bit fake in any way under any circumstances. He was serious about ideas and should have been given more of a fair chance to defend his own. People jumped on were irritated with him sometimes to hide their own weaknesses because he challenged their premises. His trouble was not entirely his own doing.” 

“That I guessed.” 

“I had the greatest regard for him.” It was unmistakable. She spoke with feeling. 

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