Diary of a Drug Fiend

King Lamus Intervenes 253 “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” came his calm voice,J A sudden flush of hostility suffused my face. “We've been doing it,’’ I answered with a sort of surly anger, “‘and I suppose the great psychologist can see what’s come of it.” He shook his head very sadly ; and sat down without being invited on the chair opposite to us. “T’m afraid not,” he said. “I’ll explain what I mean on a more convenient occasion. I can see you want to get rid of me; but I know you won’t refuse to help a man out when he’s in trouble like I am.” Lou was all sympathy and tenderness at once; and even in the state in which I was, I was aware of a feeble movement of hate both towards her and him. The factis that the man’s mere presence acted as a powerful stimulant. “It’s only a trifle,” he said, with a curious smile, “just a little literary difficultyin which I find myself. I was hoping you might remember my giving you a poem to read a little while ago.” His tone was airy and supercilious; but yet there was an under-current of earnestness in his voice which compelled the attention. Lou nodded easily enough ; but I could see that in her heart, no less than in mine, an arrow had struck, charged with acid venom. The reference recalled the dreadful days at Barley Grange ; and even the Bottom- less Pit of Nothingness into which we had since fallen seemed less outrageous than the lake of fire through which we had passed. The poem rang through my brain, snatches of the anthem of the damned.. His elbows were upon the table, his head between his hands; he watched us intently for a few moments. “T want to quote that poem in something I’m writing,” he explained, “and can you tell me the kast line of it?”