| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Blix by Frank Norris: write my article some time to-night."
Blix fixed him with a swift glance of genuine concern. "Don't
play to-night, Condy," she said, with a sudden gravity.
"Fat lot I can play! What money have I got to play with?"
"You might get some somewheres. But, anyhow, promise me you won't
play."
"Well, of course I'll promise. How can I, if I haven't any money?
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Gambara by Honore de Balzac: both husband and wife. Every evening after his wine, Gambara seemed
less self-centered, talked more, and with great lucidity; he even
spoke at last of reading the papers. Andrea could not help quaking at
his unexpectedly rapid success; but though his distress made him aware
of the strength of his passion, it did not make him waver in his
virtuous resolve.
One day he called to note the progress of this singular cure. Though
the state of the patient at first gave him satisfaction, his joy was
dashed by Marianna's beauty, for an easy life had restored its
brilliancy. He called now every evening to enjoy calm and serious
conversation, to which he contributed lucid and well considered
Gambara |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Reminiscences of Tolstoy by Leo Tolstoy: "There would have been no harm in your seeing it," said
my father, as he took it back.
This little diary in which he wrote down his most secret
thoughts and prayers was kept "for himself alone," and he never
showed it to any one. I saw it after my father's death. It is
impossible to read it without tears.
It is curious that the sudden decay of my father's memory
displayed itself only in the matter of real facts and people. He
was entirely unaffected in his literary work, and everything that
he wrote down to the last days of his life is marked by his
characteristic logicalness and force. It may be that the reason he
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