diff --git a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/SoftCache.java b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/SoftCache.java
index 11d2b2a8..18e24bba 100644
--- a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/SoftCache.java
+++ b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/SoftCache.java
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //
 // samskivert library - useful routines for java programs
 // Copyright (C) 2001-2007 Michael Bayne
-// 
+//
 // This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
 // under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
 // by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ public class SoftCache<K,V>
         _map = new HashMap<K,SoftReference<V>>();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a reference to the underlying map.
+     */
+    public Map<K,SoftReference<V>> getMap ()
+    {
+        return _map;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns true if the supplied key exists in this map and is mapped to an active value.
      */