| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Champion wrestler. I'm a very strong man,
and that ferocious animal which you are so
kindly holding is the first living thing that has
ever conquered me."
"And you are a Hopper?" she continued.
"Yes. My people live in a great city not far
from here. Would you like to visit it?"
"I'm not sure," she said with hesitation. "Have
you any dark wells in your city?"
"I think not. We have wells, you know, hut
they're all well lighted, and a well lighted well
 The Patchwork Girl of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: with murrey taffeta, and laid down and guarded with two broad
laces of gold and silver. And her hat, sir, was truly the best
fashioned thing that I have seen in these parts, being of tawny
taffeta, embroidered with scorpions of Venice gold, and having a
border garnished with gold fringe--I promise you, sir, an
absolute and all-surpassing device. Touching her skirts, they
were in the old pass-devant fashion."
"I did not ask you of her attire, sir," said Tressilian, who had
shown some impatience during this conversation, "but of her
complexion--the colour of her hair, her features."
"Touching her complexion," answered the mercer, "I am not so
 Kenilworth |