| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: obligation to the girl at home.
He was more at ease in the practical arrangements. An express went
through on the main line at midnight, and there was a local on the
branch line at eight. But the local train, the railway station,
too, were full of possible dangers. After some thought he decided
to get a car, drive down to the main line with Dick, and then send
the car back.
He went out at once and made an arrangement for a car, and on
returning notified the clerk that he was going to leave, and asked
to have his bill made out. After some hesitation he said: "I'll
pay three-twenty too, while I'm at it. Friend of mine there, going
The Breaking Point |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie: and at once gave him Dorcas's message.
"Ah, the brave Dorcas! We will look at the chest, although-- but
no matter--we will examine it all the same."
We entered the house by one of the windows. There was no one in
the hall, and we went straight up to the attic.
Sure enough, there was the chest, a fine old piece, all studded
with brass nails, and full to overflowing with every imaginable
type of garment.
Poirot bundled everything out on the floor with scant ceremony.
There were one or two green fabrics of varying shades; but Poirot
shook his head over them all. He seemed somewhat apathetic in
The Mysterious Affair at Styles |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: Craigengelt; "they learn to chanage a few thrusts with the small
sword, and then, forsooth, they understand the noble art of
defence! Now, when I was at Rouen in the year 1695, there was a
Chevalier de Chapon and I went to the opera, where we found three
bits of English birkies----"
"Is it a long story you are going to tell?" said Bucklaw,
interrupting him without ceremony.
"Just as you like," answered the parasite, "for we made short
work of it."
"Then I like it short," said Bucklaw. "Is it serious or merry?"
"Devilish serious, I assure you, and so they found it; for the
The Bride of Lammermoor |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: "Methinks I have heard somewhat of it," said Robin; "but ne'ertheless
strike up thy ditty and let us hear it, for, as I do remember me,
it is a gallant song; so out with it, good fellow."
Thereupon, clearing his throat, the Tanner, without more ado,
began to sing:
THE WOOING OF SIR KEITH
"_King Arthur sat in his royal hall,
And about on either hand
Was many a noble lordling tall,
The greatest in the land.
"Sat Lancelot with raven locks,
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
