“You strike me as a person of great compassion. I suspect you’ve seen your own share of loss. All people of real compassion have, I believe.” He turned. They looked at each other across the flickering dark. “Losses change us. I’ve become a much less jovial man. Less . . . fun, I’m afraid, to be around.” One end of his mouth attempted a smile. “But I hope I’ve become a kinder, more compassionate
