Cardboard Lover

MOMENT OF TRUTH Anne did not want money, he thought. She wanted marriage ... as Beth wanted affection, as Janet wanted confidence in herself as a woman, as Veronica wanted the violent release of passion. And he, Willard Remsen? He was the other man in every woman's life, the lover who kissed their bruises and salved their pride. There was no substance behind such a man. He was superficial, surface bright, lacking character and responsibility. He was something to each of these women in the instant of their need, but nothing to himself ... He rumpled the paper in quick irritation. “It's the heat,” he told himself and went on reading.