| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Firm of Nucingen by Honore de Balzac: who ruined Louis XVI.? Go on, Bixiou."
"I will not go into the details of the speculation which we owe to
Nucingen's financial genius. It would be the more inexpedient because
the concern is still in existence and shares are quoted on the Bourse.
The scheme was so convincing, there was such life in an enterprise
sanctioned by royal letters patent, that though the shares issued at a
thousand francs fell to three hundred, they rose to seven and will
reach par yet, after weathering the stormy years '27, '30, and '32.
The financial crisis of 1827 sent them down; after the Revolution of
July they fell flat; but there really is something in the affair,
Nucingen simply could not invent a bad speculation. In short, as
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Yates Pride by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: say no more, but the others had suspicions, because her husband,
John Bates, was a wealthy business man.
"I can't believe she has lost her money," said Mrs. Glynn. "She
wouldn't have been such a fool as to do what she has if she
hadn't money."
"What has she done?" asked Mrs. Bates, eagerly.
"What has she done?" asked Abby, and Mrs. Lee looked up
inquiringly.
The faces of Mrs. Glynn, her daughter, and her sister became
important, full of sly and triumphant knowledge.
"Haven't you heard?" asked Mrs. Glynn.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: cinders had been strewn for the benefit of the wedding guests.
The Gasthaus was very festive. Lights shone out from every window, wreaths
of fir twigs hung from the ledges. Branches decorated the front doors,
which swung open, and in the hall the landlord voiced his superiority by
bullying the waitresses, who ran about continually with glasses of beer,
trays of cups and saucers, and bottles of wine.
"Up the stairs--up the stairs!" boomed the landlord. "Leave your coats on
the landing."
Herr Brechenmacher, completely overawed by this grand manner, so far forgot
his rights as a husband as to beg his wife's pardon for jostling her
against the banisters in his efforts to get ahead of everybody else.
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