| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: before the investment. The colonel was abrupt and testy; Mrs. de
Coetlogon was too exclusive for society like that of Apia; but
whatever their superficial disabilities, it is strange they should
have left, in such an odour of unpopularity, a place where they set
so shining an example of the sterling virtues. The colonel was
perhaps no diplomatist; he was certainly no lawyer; but he
discharged the duties of his office with the constancy and courage
of an old soldier, and these were found sufficient. He and his
wife had no ambition to be the leaders of society; the consulate
was in their time no house of feasting; but they made of it that
house of mourning to which the preacher tells us it is better we
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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: to, and leading from the railway station to the Gasthaus a little path of
cinders had been strewn for the benefit of the wedding guests.
The Gasthaus was very festive. Lights shone out from every window, wreaths
of fir twigs hung from the ledges. Branches decorated the front doors,
which swung open, and in the hall the landlord voiced his superiority by
bullying the waitresses, who ran about continually with glasses of beer,
trays of cups and saucers, and bottles of wine.
"Up the stairs--up the stairs!" boomed the landlord. "Leave your coats on
the landing."
Herr Brechenmacher, completely overawed by this grand manner, so far forgot
his rights as a husband as to beg his wife's pardon for jostling her
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