| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Betty Zane by Zane Grey: "Now, mother, that is what you always say," said the invalid, as he began to
toss his head wearily to and fro. "Will she never tell me? It is not like her
to keep me in suspense. She was the sweetest, truest, loveliest girl in all
the world. When I get well, mother, I ant going to find out if she loves me."
"I am sure she does. I know she loves you," answered Betty.
"It is very good of you to say that," he went on in his rambling talk. "Some
day I'll bring her to you and we'll make her a queen here in the old home.
I'll be a better son now and not run away from home again. I've given the dear
old mother many a heartache, but that's all past now. The wanderer has come
home. Kiss me good-night, mother."
Betty looked down with tear-blurred eyes on the haggard face. Unconsciously
Betty Zane |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: High and low only asked to be let live. The poor asked it--
slaughtered on a hundred battle-fields, burnt out of house and home:
vast tracts of the centre of Europe were lying desert; the
population was diminished for several generations. The trading
classes, ruined by the long war, only asked to be let live, and make
a little money. The nobility, too, only asked to be let live. They
had lost, in the long struggle, not only often lands and power, but
their ablest and bravest men; and a weaker and meaner generation was
left behind, to do the governing of the world. Let them live, and
keep what they had. If signs of vigour still appeared in France, in
the wars of Louis XIV. they were feverish, factitious, temporary--
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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 Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: high time, for it seemed to Tattine she would choke with all the feelings,
sorrowful and angry, welling up within her. Mamma was not far afield--that is,
she was very near, at her desk in the cosy little alcove of the upstairs
hall-way, and Tattine soon found her.
"Now, Mamma," she asked excitedly, "did you know that Betsy or Doctor would do
such a thing as this?"
The trembling little rabbit in Tattine's hands showed what was meant by THIS.
Mrs. Gerald paused a moment, then she said reluctantly, "Yes, Tattine, I did."
"Have they done it before, Mamma?"
"I am sorry to say they have."
"Have you seen them bring struggling rabbits dangling in their mouths right up
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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 The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela: self, Demetrio!"
War Paint stepped forward, surrendered her dagger
and, thrusting her breast forward, let her arms fall to
her side.
Demetrio picked up the dagger, red with blood, but
his eyes clouded; he hesitated, took a step backward.
Then, with a heavy hoarse voice he growled, enraged:
"Get out of here! Quick!"
No one dared stop her. She moved off slowly, mute,
somber.
Blondie's shrill, guttural voice broke the silent stupor:
The Underdogs |
