| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: "Who are you," he shouted, "you wretched little Englishman, who dare to
lecture me, Leblanc, the friend of the great Napoleon?"
Now I drew my pistol and walked up to the man.
"Be quiet, you drunken sot," I said, for I guessed that he had drunk
more of the brandy in the darkness. "If you are not quiet and do not
obey me, who am in command here, either I will blow your brains out, or
I will give you to these men," and I pointed to Hans and the Kaffirs,
who had gathered round him, muttering ominously. "Do you know what they
will do with you? They will throw you out of the house, and leave you to
settle your quarrel with Quabie alone."
Leblanc looked first at the pistol, and next at the faces of the
Marie |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Damien by Robert Louis Stevenson: It is true he was allowed many indulgences. Am I to understand
that you blame the father for profiting by these, or the officers
for granting them? In either case, it is a mighty Spartan standard
to issue from the house on Beretania Street; and I am convinced you
will find yourself with few supporters.
Damien HAD NO HAND IN THE REFORMS, ETC.
I think even you will admit that I have already been frank in my
description of the man I am defending; but before I take you up
upon this head, I will be franker still, and tell you that perhaps
nowhere in the world can a man taste a more pleasurable sense of
contrast than when he passes from Damien's "Chinatown" at Kalawao
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