  We consider a small, metastable maximum vacuum expectation value $b_0$ of
order of a few eV, for a pseudoscalar Goldstone-like field, which is related to
the scalar inflaton field $\phi$ in an idealized model of a cosmological,
spontaneously-broken chiral symmetry. The b field allows for relating
semi-quantitatively three distinct quantities in a cosmological context.
  (1) A very small, residual vacuum energy density or effective cosmological
constant of ~ lambda b_0^4 ~ 2.7 x 10^{-47}GeV^4, for lambda ~ 3 x 10^{-14},
the same as an empirical inflaton self-coupling.
  (2) A tiny neutrino mass, less then b_0.
  (3) A possible small variation downward of the proton to electron mass ratio
over cosmological time. The latter arises from the motion downward of the $b$
field over cosmological time, toward a nonzero limiting value as $t \to
\infty$. Such behavior is consistent with an equation of motion.
  We argue that hypothetical b quanta, potentially inducing new long-range
forces, are absent, because of negative, effective squared mass in an equation
of motion for $b$-field fluctuations.
