| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Chance by Joseph Conrad: only refuge from the world which had no use for her, for her
imperfections and for her troubles.
Mrs. Brown had been very much vexed at her dismissal. The Browns
were a childless couple and the arrangement had suited them
perfectly. Their resentment was very bitter. Mrs. Brown had to
remain ashore alone with her rage, but the steward was nursing his
on board. Poor Flora had no greater enemy, the aggrieved mate had
no greater sympathizer. And Mrs. Brown, with a woman's quick power
of observation and inference (the putting of two and two together)
had come to a certain conclusion which she had imparted to her
husband before leaving the ship. The morose steward permitted
Chance |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Street of Seven Stars by Mary Roberts Rinehart: "I'm afraid."
"That's cowardice. And I've fixed my hair a new way. Do you like
it?"
"Splendid," said Peter to the center table.
"You didn't look!"
The rout of Harmony's eyes was supplemented by the rout of
Harmony's hair. Peter, goaded, got up and walked about. Harmony
was half exasperated; she would have boxed Peter's ears with a
tender hand had she dared.
His hands thrust savagely in his pockets, Peter turned and faced
her at last.
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