| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Voice of the City by O. Henry: to upsetting his own theories of the treatment due by
a gentleman to a lady. But, with his loafer's love
for the more artistic and less strenuous way, he chose
diplomacy first, the high card in the game -- the as-
sumed attitude of success already attained.
"You have a dollar," he said, loftily, but signifi-
cantly in the tone that goes with the lighting of a
cigar - when the properties are at hand."
"I have," said Mrs. Peters, producing the bill
from her bosom and crackling it, teasingly.
"I am offered a position in a -- in a tea store,"
The Voice of the City |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: period; but his domestics had only coarse jackets of thick felt,
which could scarce be expected to turn the edge of a sword, if
wielded by a strong man; and none of them had any weapons, save
swords and pistols, without which gentlemen, or their attendants,
during those disturbed times, seldom stirred abroad.
When they had stood at gaze for about a minute, the younger
gentleman gave the challenge which was then common in the mouth
of all strangers who met in such circumstances--"For whom are
you?"
"Tell me first," answered the soldier, "for whom are you?--the
strongest party should speak first."
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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 Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: "Aye, my lord. Sir Percy's skipper was here just now. He
says that my lady's brother is crossing over to France to-day in the
DAY DREAM, which is Sir Percy's yacht, and Sir Percy and my lady
will come with him as far as here to see the last of him. It don't
put you out, do it, my lord?"
"No, no, it doesn't put me out, friend; nothing will put me
out, unless that supper is not the very best which Miss Sally can
cook, and which has ever been served in `The Fisherman's Rest.'"
"You need have no fear of that, my lord," said Sally, who all this
while had been busy setting the table for supper. And very gay and
inviting it looked, with a large bunch of brilliantly coloured dahlias
The Scarlet Pimpernel |
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 Youth by Joseph Conrad: constantly at it became exasperating, since there was no
reason why we should not leave at once. We could not
see those on board, nor could we imagine what caused the
delay. The boat-keepers were swearing feebly, and I
had not only my share of the work, but also had to keep
at it two men who showed a constant inclination to lay
themselves down and let things slide.
"At last I hailed 'On deck there,' and someone looked
over. 'We're ready here,' I said. The head disap-
peared, and very soon popped up again. 'The captain
says, All right, sir, and to keep the boats well clear of the
Youth |
