Diary of a Drug Fiend

340 The Diary of a Drug Fiend you should be so blind about yourself. The meaning of all this ought to be perfectly obvious. I’m afraid you haven’t grasped the meaning of “ Do what thou wilt.” Do you see how the application of the Law has helped you so far?” ‘Well, of course,” I said, “it’s pretty clear I didn’t come to this planet to drug myself into my grave before my powers have had a chance to ripen. I’ve thought it necessary to keep off heroin in order to give myself a show. But I’m left flat. Life becomes more tedious every day, and the one way of escape is barred by flaming swords.” “ Bxactly,” he replied. ‘“ You’ve only discovered one thing that you don’t will; you have still to find the one thing that you do will. And yet there are quite a number of clues in this manuscript of yours. I note you say that your squad commander, who didn’t become that without some power of dealing with men, told you that you were not a great flyer. How was it exactly that you came to take up flying?” That simple question induced a very surprising reaction. There was no reason why it should produce ’ the intense irritation that it did.- _ Basil noticed it, rubbed his hands together gleefully, and began to hum “ Tipperary.”’” His meaning was evident. He had drawn a bow in a venture; and it had pierced the King of Israel between the joints of his harness. He got up with alacrity, and went off with a wave of the hand. “Think it over, dear boy,” said he, “ and tell me your sad story in the morning.” ; I was in a very disturbed state of mind. I went to look for Lou, but she had gone for a walk with Cypris, and when she came back, she wore an air of wisdom which I found insupportable. However, I told her my story. To my disgust, she simply nodded as if highly appreciative of some very obscure joke. There was no getting any sense out of her. I went to bed in a thoroughly bad temper.