| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Emma McChesney & Co. by Edna Ferber: should have been cast for the Nurse.
She entered Emma McChesney's office, now, in her quiet blue suit
and her neat hat, and she looked very sane and cheerful and
rosy-cheeked and dependable. At least, so Emma McChesney
thought, as she kissed her, while the plump arms held her close.
Ethel Morrissey, the hugging process completed, held her off and
eyed her.
"Well, Emma McChesney, flourish your Featherlooms for me. I
want to buy and get it over, so we can talk."
"Are you sure that you want to buy of me?" asked Emma
McChesney, a little wearily.
Emma McChesney & Co. |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: their acquaintance, all of whom avoided them, and passed by on
the other side; but a severer trial awaited their constancy when
they had descended the hill, and drew near the pine-built and
undecorated house of prayer. Around the door, from which the
drummer still sent forth his thundering summons, was drawn up a
formidable phalanx, including several of the oldest members of
the congregation, many of the middle aged, and nearly all the
younger males. Pearson found it difficult to sustain their united
and disapproving gaze, but Dorothy, whose mind was differently
circumstanced, merely drew the boy closer to her, and faltered
not in her approach. As they entered the door, they overheard the
Twice Told Tales |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: and recked nothing of the devil and his suggestions), then was
the adversary ashamed of having fallen in the first assault. So
he came by another road (for many are his paths of wickedness),
and endeavoured to overthrow and terrify Ioasaph by means of
divers apparitions. Sometimes he appeared to him in black, and
such indeed he is: sometimes with a drawn sword he leapt upon
him, and threatened to strike, unless he speedily turned back.
At other times he assumed the shapes of all manner of beasts,
roaring and making a terrible din and bellowing; or again he
became a dragon, adder, or basilisk. But that fair and right
noble athlete kept his soul in quietness, for he had made the
|
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 Elizabeth and her German Garden by Marie Annette Beauchamp: "Let me get home," thought I, very much upset by this information,
"let me get home to my dear, uncritical, admiring babies, who accept
my nose as an example of what a nose should be, and whatever
its colour think it beautiful." And thrusting the handkerchief
back into the little girl's hands, I hurried away down the path.
She packed it away hastily, but it took some seconds for it was
of the size of a small sheet, and then came running after me.
"Where are you going?" she asked surprised, as I turned down the path
leading to the gate.
"Through this gate," I replied with decision.
"But you mustn't--we're not allowed to go through there-- --"
Elizabeth and her German Garden |
