The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: and I accepted its conditions. To-day, when the power was mine again,
mine to bring you at last to subjection, behold, I have capitulated at
your bidding, and all that I held - including your own self- have I
relinquished. It is perhaps fitting. Haply I am punished for having
wed you before I had wooed you." Again his tone changed, it grew more
cold, more matter-of-fact. "I rode this way a little while ago a hunted
man, my only hope to reach home and collect what moneys and valuables
I could carry, and make for the coast to find a vessel bound for
Holland. I have been engaged, as you know, in stirring up rebellion
to check the iniquities and persecutions that are toward in a land I
love. I'll not weary you with details. Time was needed for this as
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: The wet clothes flapped in her face as she pegged them; danced and jigged
on the line, bulged out and twisted. She walked back to the house with
lagging steps, looking longingly at the grass in the meadow.
"What must I do now, please?" she said.
"Make the beds and hang the baby's mattress out of the window, then get the
wagon and take him for a little walk along the road. In front of the
house, mind--where I can see you. Don't stand there, gaping! Then come in
when I call you and help me cut up the salad."
When she had made the beds the Child stood and looked at them. Gently she
stroked the pillow with her hand, and then, just for one moment, let her
head rest there. Again the smarting lump in her throat, the stupid tears
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Russia in 1919 by Arthur Ransome: explained the position. The nephew was also present and
joined in the argument, whereupon the tax-collectors
consulted a bit of paper and retorted, "A tax of twenty
thousand has been assessed on you too. Be so good as to
put your coat on."
That meant arrest, and the nephew said he had five
thousand roubles and would pay that, but could pay no
more. Would that do?
"Very well," said the tax-collector, "fetch it."
The nephew fetched it.
"And now put your coat on."
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