He cut into my attempt at a diversion.
"Why don't you drink?" he asked.
"Because I promised Mary not to."
The mention of the name was too much. He took a quick breath.
"Oh, I wouldn't mind that," he says, light enough on the outside, but beginning to heat up inside again.
"I mind my word," I answered.
Perez looked quickly across at me and smiled.
"She makes mistakes like the rest of us," says Saxton.
"She makes mistakes," says I, "but not like the rest of us."
Perez stretched out his hand. "I am again glad to have met Mr. Saunders," he said.