Section 33One of Duggan’s poems had to do with a poor devil namedSlim, who was a“snow-eater,” that is to say, a cocainevictim. This Slim wandered about the streets of New York in thewinter-time without any shelter, and would get into an officebuilding late in the afternoon, and hide in one of the lavatoriesto spend the night. Ifhe lay down, he would be seen and thrown out,so his only chance was to sit up; but when he fell asleep, he wouldfall off the seat—therefore he carried a rope in his pocket,and would tie himself in a sitting position.
Now what was the use of a story likethat? Peter didn’twant to hear about such people! He wanted to express his disgust;but he knew, of course, that he must hide it. He laughed as heexclaimed, “Christ Almighty, Duggan, can’t you give ussomething with a
