| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The American by Henry James: good nature--it was almost the only thing that did so; and he felt the impulse
to wipe it out, as it were, with the sponge of his own prosperity.
The papa of Mademoiselle Noemie, however, had apparently on this occasion
been vigorously indoctrinated, and he showed a certain tremulous eagerness
to cultivate unexpected opportunities.
"How much do I owe you, then, with the frame?" asked Newman.
"It will make in all three thousand francs," said the old man,
smiling agreeably, but folding his hands in instinctive suppliance.
"Can you give me a receipt?"
"I have brought one," said M. Nioche. "I took the liberty of drawing
it up, in case monsieur should happen to desire to discharge his debt."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Plain Tales from the Hills by Rudyard Kipling: poor little mite got first riotous, next miserable, and was removed
screaming. Bronckhorst asked if that was the way Teddy usually
behaved, and whether Mrs. Bronckhorst could not spare some of her
time to teach the "little beggar decency." Mrs. Bronckhorst, who
loved the boy more than her own life, tried not to cry--her spirit
seemed to have been broken by her marriage. Lastly, Bronckhorst
used to say:--"There! That'll do, that'll do. For God's sake try
to behave like a rational woman. Go into the drawing-room." Mrs.
Bronckhorst would go, trying to carry it all off with a smile; and
the guest of the evening would feel angry and uncomfortable.
After three years of this cheerful life--for Mrs. Bronckhorst had no
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