| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: But the relations declare that you have pocketed considerable sums,
and made investments about which they demand inquiry."
"Oh! heavens!" said the woman, casting up her eyes; "they can inquire;
I am poor; I have not a deed, nor a note, nor a share; not the
slightest security of any kind in my possession."
"I dare say not," said Cerizet, glancing at la Peyrade out of the
corner of his eye; "but there are always friends to take care of such
things. However, that is none of my business; every one must settle
his own affairs in his own way. Now, then, say what you have to say,
distinctly."
"I came, monsieur," she replied, "to implore you, monsieur, to implore
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Bab:A Sub-Deb, Mary Roberts Rinehart by Mary Roberts Rinehart: two apples.
"I thought we'd have a bite to eat," he said. "I need a little
nourishment before getting back into that puddle to sleep."
"Father!" I said. "How can you talk of food when knowing----"
"Get some salt and pepper," he said, "and see if there is any
mustard mixed. You've had a dream, Bab. That's all. The Case is in
the safe, and William is in his bed, and in about two minutes a
cold repast is going to be in me."
Ye gods!
He is now asleep, and I am writing this at 2 A. M.
I, and I alone, know that there is a Criminal in this house,
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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 In the Cage by Henry James: determined, among the hams and cheeses and the lodgers from
Thrupp's, immediate and alarming reprisals, a scene of scandal and
consternation. Mr. Buckton and the counter-clerk had crouched
within the cage, but Mr. Mudge had, with a very quiet but very
quick step round the counter, an air of masterful authority she
shouldn't soon forget, triumphantly interposed in the scrimmage,
parted the combatants and shaken the delinquent in his skin. She
had been proud of him at that moment, and had felt that if their
affair had not already been settled the neatness of his execution
would have left her without resistance.
Their affair had been settled by other things: by the evident
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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 Schoolmistress and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov: . One sits down to the table, there's an Easter cake and the
samovar hissing, and some charming little thing beside you. . . .
You drink a glass and chuck her under the chin, and it's first-
rate. . . . You feel you're somebody. . . . Ech h-h! . . . I've
made a mess of things! Look at that hussy driving by in her
carriage, while I have to sit here and brood."
"We each have our lot in life, Ivan Danilitch. Please God, you'll
be promoted and drive about in your carriage one day."
"I? No, brother, not likely. I shan't get beyond a 'titular,' not
if I try till I burst. I'm not an educated man."
"Our General has no education either, but . . ."
The Schoolmistress and Other Stories |
