| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain: surely; there were many kitchens where the servants would share their
meals with her, and also steal sugar and apples and other dainties
for her to carry home--or give her a chance to pilfer them herself,
which would answer just as well. And there was the church.
She was a more rabid and devoted Methodist than ever, and her piety
was no sham, but was strong and sincere. Yes, with plenty of creature
comforts and her old place in the amen corner in her possession again,
she would be perfectly happy and at peace thenceforward to the end.
She went to Judge Driscoll's kitchen first of all. She was received
there in great form and with vast enthusiasm. Her wonderful travels,
and the strange countries she had seen, and the adventures she had had,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: retying her pink sash ribbon before my mirror. "You know, although she is
so intellectual, I cannot help feeling convinced that she has some secret
sorrow. And Lisa told me this morning, as she was turning out my room,
that she remains hours and hours by herself, writing; in fact Lisa says she
is writing a book! I suppose that is why she never cares to mingle with
us, and has so little time for her husband and the child."
"Well, YOU ask her," said I. "I have never spoken to the lady."
Elsa blushed faintly. "I have only spoken to her once," she confessed. "I
took her a bunch of wild flowers, to her room, and she came to the door in
a white gown, with her hair loose. Never shall I forget that moment. She
just took the flowers, and I heard her--because the door was not quite
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: him (as yet at least) for being imposed by a charming but too
gushing girl, attractive enough without such danglers. No
irritation at any rate was reflected in the voice with which he
questioned Miss Fancourt as to some project of a walk - a general
walk of the company round the park. He had soon said something to
Paul about a talk - "We must have a tremendous lot of talk; there
are so many things, aren't there?" - but our friend could see this
idea wouldn't in the present case take very immediate effect. All
the same he was extremely happy, even after the matter of the walk
had been settled - the three presently passed back to the other
part of the gallery, where it was discussed with several members of
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Sarrasine by Honore de Balzac: that moment, beginning the prelude of a contra-dance.
She spied us.
"Ah! were you here?" she said, blushing.
After a searching glance at us as if to question us, she ran away to
her partner with the careless petulance of her years.
"What does this mean?" queried my young partner. "Is he her husband? I
believe I am dreaming. Where am I?"
"You!" I retorted, "you, madame, who are easily excited, and who,
understanding so well the most imperceptible emotions, are able to
cultivate in a man's heart the most delicate of sentiments, without
crushing it, without shattering it at the very outset, you who have
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