| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Riverman by Stewart Edward White: to communicate with young ladies do not ask them bluntly. They make
some excuse, like sending a book, a magazine, a marked newspaper, or
even a bit of desired information. At the same time, they send
notes informing the girl of the fact. The girl is naturally
expected to acknowledge the politeness. If she wishes the
correspondence to continue, she asks a question, or in some other
way leaves an opening. Do you see?"
"Yes, I see," said Orde, slightly crestfallen. "But that's a long
time to wait. I like to feel settled about a thing. I wanted to
know."
She dropped back against the cushioned slant of her easy chair, and
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: you grow used to me. Meanwhile, there is no hurry. Don't sign
yet."
"Nonsense! I don't doubt your good faith," said Erskine, hastily
disavowing suspicions which he felt but could not account for.
"Here goes!" And he signed.
"Well done!" said Trefusis. "This will make Brown happy for the
rest of the month."
"It is time for us to go now," said Erskine gloomily.
"Look in upon me at any time; you shall be welcome," said
Trefusis. "You need not stand upon any sort of ceremony."
Then they parted; Sir Charles assuring Trefusis that he had never
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Confidence by Henry James: "The mother is very busy."
"And the daughter is ill?"
The young woman looked at him an instant, smiling again,
and the light in her little blue eyes indicated confusion,
but not perversity.
"No, the mamma is ill," she exclaimed, "and the daughter is very busy.
They are preparing to leave Baden."
"To leave Baden? When do they go?"
"I don't quite know, lieber Herr; but very soon."
With this information Bernard turned away. He was rather surprised,
but he reflected that Mrs. Vivian had not proposed to spend her life
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