| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic: in a flash he comprehended everything. These idiotic,
fighting gluttons of gulls had actually pointed out to him
the object of his search. It was Lady Cressage who stood
in the doorway, there just below him--and her companion,
the red-haired lady who laughed hotel-rules to scorn,
was the American heiress who had crossed the ocean
in his ship, and whom he had met later on at Hadlow.
What was her name--Martin? No--Madden. He confronted the swift
impression that there was something odd about these two
women being together. At Hadlow he had imagined that they
did not like each other. Then he reflected as swiftly
 The Market-Place |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce: "Sir," said the Man of Experience in Business, "I should risk your
anger by offering you one half the sum awarded."
"Did I say I was going to decide that case?" said the Judge,
abruptly, as if awakening from a dream. "Dear me, how absent-
minded I am. I mean I have already decided it, and judgment has
been entered for the full amount that you sued for."
"Did I say I would give you one half?" said the Man of Experience
in Business, coldly. "Dear me, how near I came to being a rascal.
I mean, that I am greatly obliged to you."
The Return of the Representative
HEARING that the Legislature had adjourned, the people of an
 Fantastic Fables |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Chita: A Memory of Last Island by Lafcadio Hearn: (refused by the Mont-de-Piete) with eyes half blinded by
starvation;--the misery which could afford but one robe for three
marriageable daughters,--one plain dress to be worn in turn by
each of them, on visiting days;--the pretty misery--young, brave,
sweet,--asking for a "treat" of cakes too jocosely to have its
asking answered,--laughing and coquetting with its well-fed
wooers, and crying for hunger after they were gone. Often and
often, his heart had pleaded against his purse for such as these,
and won its case in the silent courts of Self. But ever
mysteriously the gift came,--sometimes as if from the hand of a
former slave; sometimes as from a remorseful creditor, ashamed to
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