| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "That is true," replied the Sorceress, slowly. "But the Emerald City is now
ruled by General Jinjur, who has caused herself to be proclaimed Queen. What
right have I to oppose her?"
"Why, she stole the throne from me," said the Scarecrow.
"And how came you to possess the throne?" asked Glinda.
"I got it from the Wizard of Oz, and by the choice of the people," returned
the Scarecrow, uneasy at such questioning.
"And where did the Wizard get it?" she continued gravely.
"I am told he took it from Pastoria, the former King," said the Scarecrow,
becoming confused under the intent look of the Sorceress.
"Then," declared Glinda, "the throne of the Emerald City belongs neither to
The Marvelous Land of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo: side with the babes in his arms.
"My darling," he exclaimed, "why didn't you tell me?"
"I was ashamed," whispered Zoie, hiding her head to shut out the
sight of the red faces pressed close to hers.
"My angel!" cried Alfred, struggling to control his complicated
emotions; then gazing at the precious pair in his arms, he cast
his eyes devoutly toward heaven, "Was ever a man so blessed?"
Zoie peeped from the covers with affected shyness.
"You love me just as much?" she queried.
"I love you TWICE as much," declared Alfred, and with that he
sank exhausted on the foot of the bed, vainly trying to teeter
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: movements. Jim-Eng, descrying Babalatchi far away, would shake
off the stupor of an habitual opium smoker and, tottering on to
the middle of the road, would await the approach of that
important person, ready with hospitable invitation. But
Babalatchi's discretion was proof even against the combined
assaults of good fellowship and of strong gin generously
administered by the open-hearted Chinaman. Jim-Eng, owning
himself beaten, was left uninformed with the empty bottle, and
gazed sadly after the departing form of the statesman of Sambir
pursuing his devious and unsteady way, which, as usual, led him
to Almayer's compound. Ever since a reconciliation had been
Almayer's Folly |
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 Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber: physical and mental giant, performing this task ever so
gently and patiently, sent a little pang of pity through
Fanny, as Michael Fenger knew it would. The Fengers lived
in an apartment on the Lake Shore Drive--an apartment such
as only Chicago boasts. A view straight across the lake,
rooms huge and many-windowed, a glass-enclosed sun-porch gay
with chintz and wicker, an incredible number of bathrooms.
The guests, besides Fanny, included a young pair, newly
married and interested solely in rents, hangings, linen
closets, and the superiority of the Florentine over the
Jacobean for dining room purposes; and a very scrubbed
Fanny Herself |
