| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The American by Henry James: lifted the puppy up to his face again, peering at Newman with
his small blank eye-holes. There was something almost imbecile
in the movement, and Newman hardly knew whether he was taking
refuge in a convenient affectation of unreason, or whether
he had in fact paid for his dishonor by the loss of his wits.
In the latter case, just now, he felt little more tenderly
to the foolish old man than in the former. Responsible or not,
he was equally an accomplice of his detestably mischievous daughter.
Newman was going to leave him abruptly, when a ray of entreaty
appeared to disengage itself from the old man's misty gaze.
"Are you going away?" he asked.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft: was a convenient cloke.--He was liberal in his way of thinking;
and why might not we, like many other married people, who were
above vulgar prejudices, tacitly consent to let each other follow
their own inclination?--He meant nothing more, in the letter I made
the ground of complaint; and the pleasure which I seemed to take
in Mr. S.'s company, led him to conclude, that he was not
disagreeable to me.'
"A clerk brought in the letters of the day, and I, as I often
did, while he was discussing subjects of business, went to the
_piano_ _forte_, and began to play a favourite air to restore
myself, as it were, to nature, and drive the sophisticated sentiments
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith: since I was born. I have gone through every receipt in the Complete
Huswife ten times over; and you have thoughts of coursing me through
Quincy next spring. But, ecod! I tell you, I'll not be made a fool of
no longer.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. Wasn't it all for your good, viper? Wasn't it all
for your good?
TONY. I wish you'd let me and my good alone, then. Snubbing this way
when I'm in spirits. If I'm to have any good, let it come of itself;
not to keep dinging it, dinging it into one so.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. That's false; I never see you when you're in
spirits. No, Tony, you then go to the alehouse or kennel. I'm never
 She Stoops to Conquer |