| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Door in the Wall, et. al. by H. G. Wells: That goes to the puddling furnaces, but I want to show you the
canal first." He came and took Raut by the elbow, and so they went
along side by side. Raut answered Horrocks vaguely. What, he
asked himself, had really happened on the line? Was he deluding
himself with his own fancies, or had Horrocks actually held him
back in the way of the train? Had he just been within an ace of
being murdered?
Suppose this slouching, scowling monster DID know
anything? For a minute or two then Raut was really afraid for his
life, but the mood passed as he reasoned with himself. After all,
Horrocks might have heard nothing. At any rate, he had pulled him
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Foolish Virgin by Thomas Dixon: "And then, little mother, by one of those
inexplicable mysteries of nature she died when our baby
was born. For a while the light of the world went out.
I quit New York, gave up my profession and came here
just to lie in the sun on this mountainside and try to
pull myself together. I didn't think life could ever
be worth living again. But it was. I found about me
so much of human need--so much ignorance and
helplessness--so much to pity and love, I forgot the
ache in my own heart in bringing joy to others.
"I had money enough. I gave up the ambitions of
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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 A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: advantage, he would have built a sconce upon the small hill which
is to the left of the draw-brigg. And this I can easily prove to
you, mine honest friend; for, holding that pasty to be the
castle--What's your name, friend?"
"Lorimer, sir," replied the man.
"Here is to your health, honest Lorimer.--I say, Lorimer
--holding that pasty to be the main body or citadel of the place
to be defended, and taking the marrow-bone for the sconce to be
erected--"
"I am sorry, sir," said Lorimer, interrupting him, "that I cannot
stay to hear the rest of your demonstration; but the bell will
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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 Europeans by Henry James: "Are you very sure they are rich?" asked Felix, lightly.
His sister slowly turned in her place, looking at him. "Heavenly powers!"
she murmured. "You have a way of bringing out things!"
"It will certainly be much pleasanter if they are rich," Felix declared.
"Do you suppose if I had not known they were rich I would ever have come?"
The young man met his sister's somewhat peremptory eye with his bright,
contented glance. "Yes, it certainly will be pleasanter," he repeated.
"That is all I expect of them," said the Baroness. "I don't count upon
their being clever or friendly--at first--or elegant or interesting.
But I assure you I insist upon their being rich."
Felix leaned his head upon the back of the sofa and looked awhile
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