| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: of her culture Mrs. Westgate had paid a visit to this venerable monument,
which she spoke of ever afterward vaguely as a dreadful disappointment;
so that she expressed the liveliest disapproval of any attempt to combine
historical researches with the purchase of hairbrushes and notepaper.
The most she would consent to do in this line was to spend half
an hour at Madame Tussaud's, where she saw several dusty wax effigies
of members of the royal family. She told Bessie that if she
wished to go to the Tower she must get someone else to take her.
Bessie expressed hereupon an earnest disposition to go alone; but upon
this proposal as well Mrs. Westgate sprinkled cold water.
"Remember," she said, "that you are not in your innocent little Boston.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo: Jimmy was following the conversation with growing interest.
"Wait a minute," said Aggie, then she left the receiver hanging
by the cord and turned to the expectant pair behind her. "It's
the Children's Home," she explained. "That awful woman says
Jimmy STOLE her baby!"
"What!" exclaimed Zoie as though such depravity on Jimmy's part
were unthinkable. Then she looked at him accusingly, and asked
in low, measured tones, "DID you STEAL HER BABY, JIMMY?"
"Didn't you tell me to?" asked Jimmy hotly. "Not literally,"
corrected Aggie.
"How else COULD I steal a baby?" demanded Jimmy.
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Emma McChesney & Co. by Edna Ferber: I've had to fight for everything worth while in my life. I'm
superstitious about it now. When things come easy I'm afraid of
them." Then, to the stock-girl, "Annie, tell Myrtle I want to
see her."
Silence fell again upon the three. Myrtle, very limp, very thin,
very languid indeed, roused them at her entrance. The hopeful
look in Emma's eyes faded as she beheld her. Myrtle was so
obviously limp, so hopelessly new.
"Annie says you want me to take Gertie's place," drawled
Myrtle, striking a magazine-cover attitude.
"I don't know that you are just the--er--type; but perhaps, if
Emma McChesney & Co. |
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 Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: elbow-chair, and drawing another close up in front of it, in which he
seated himself. "There, put your feet upon the stove too. Your aunt has
gone out somewhere. Long have I waited for this auspicious event!"
Trana, who understood not one word of English, sat down in the chair and
wondered if this was one of the strange customs of other lands, that an old
gentleman may bring his chair up to yours, and sit with his knees touching
you. She had been five days in Bonaparte's company, and feared the old
man, and disliked his nose.
"How long have I desired this moment!" said Bonaparte. "But that aged
relative of thine is always casting her unhallowed shadow upon us. Look
into my eyes, Trana."
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