docs: def _load_level(handler, level, pathtable):
      """
      Loads level and builds appropriate type, handling softlinks if necessary
      """
      if isinstance(level, tables.link.SoftLink):
          # this is a link, so see if target is already loaded, return it
          pathname = level.target
          node = level()
      else:
          # not a link, but it might be a target that's already been
          # loaded ... if so, return it
          pathname = level._v_pathname
          node = level
      try:
          return pathtable[pathname]
      except KeyError:
          pathtable[pathname] = _load_nonlink_level(handler, node, pathtable,
                                                    pathname)
          return pathtable[pathname]