| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from End of the Tether by Joseph Conrad: a little inexplicably, just as he came. I could never
understand him quite. There was no mystery at all
about that Massy, eh? I wonder whether Whalley re-
fused to leave the ship. It would have been foolish.
He was blameless, as the court found."
Mr. Van Wyk had known him well, he said, and he
could not believe in suicide. Such an act would not
have been in character with what he knew of the man.
"It is my opinion, too," the lawyer agreed. The gen-
eral theory was that the captain had remained too long
on board trying to save something of importance. Per-
End of the Tether |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Wrong Box by Stevenson & Osbourne: should be decoyed on board that lonely hulk by Lord Bellew and
the American desperado Gin Sling. It was fortunate he had not
done so, he reflected, since the hulk was now required for very
different purposes.
Jimson, a man of inconspicuous costume, but insinuating manners,
had little difficulty in finding the hireling who had charge of
the houseboat, and still less in persuading him to resign his
care. The rent was almost nominal, the entry immediate, the key
was exchanged against a suitable advance in money, and Jimson
returned to town by the afternoon train to see about dispatching
his piano.
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