| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, etc. by Oscar Wilde: these circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will
recognise how impossible it would be for me to allow them to remain
in the possession of any member of my family; and, indeed, all such
vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity
of the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among
those who have been brought up on the severe, and I believe
immortal, principles of republican simplicity. Perhaps I should
mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to
retain the box as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided
ancestor. As it is extremely old, and consequently a good deal out
of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her request.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Arizona Nights by Stewart Edward White: cloud of dust adequate to represent the smoke of battle. We
others were too paralysed to move. Uncle Jim sat placidly on his
white horse, his thin knees bent to the ox-bow stirrups, smoking.
In ten seconds the trouble was over, principally because there
was no more trouble to make. The hound returned leisurely,
licking from his chops the hair of his victims. Uncle Jim shook
his head.
"Trailer," said he sadly, "is a little severe."
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Tono Bungay by H. G. Wells: I'll bet my hat. But what do you propose to do? Go as chemist
to some one who IS running a business, and draw a salary without
a share like I offer you. Much sense in that! It comes out of
the swindle as you call it--just the same."
"Some businesses are straight and quiet, anyhow; supply a sound
article that is really needed, don't shout advertisements."
"No, George. There you're behind the times. The last of that
sort was sold up 'bout five years ago."
"Well, there's scientific research."
"And who pays for that? Who put up that big City and Guilds
place at South Kensington? Enterprising business men! They
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