| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Blue Flower by Henry van Dyke: What to them was permanent, to me was transient. They were
inhabitants: I was a visitor.
The one in all the city of Saloma with whom was most at home
was Ruamie, the little granddaughter of the old man with whom
I lodged. To her, a girl of thirteen, fair-eyed and full of
joy, the wonted round of life had not yet grown to be a matter of
course. She was quick to feel and answer the newness of every
day that dawned. When a strange bird flew down from the
mountains into the gardens, it was she that saw it and wondered
at it. It was she that walked with me most often in the path to
the Source. She went out with me to the fields in the morning
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Finished by H. Rider Haggard: though I know it admitted of high and progressive stakes. At
first, however, these were quite moderate and we won, as I
suppose we were meant to do. After half an hour or so Marnham
rose to help himself to brandy and water, a great deal of brandy
and very little water, while I took a nip of Hollands, and
Anscombe and Rodd filled their pipes.
"I think this is getting rather slow," said Rodd to Anscombe. "I
vote we put a bit more on."
"As much as you like," answered Anscombe with a little drawl and
twinkle of the eye, which always showed that he was amused.
"Both Quatermain and I are born gamblers. Don't look angry,
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