| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton: Appropriate Allusions contained no mention of Xingu.
"Oh, that's not the kind of thing we want!" exclaimed Miss Van
Vluyck. She cast a disparaging glance over Mrs. Ballinger's
assortment of literature, and added impatiently: "Haven't you any
useful books?"
"Of course I have," replied Mrs. Ballinger indignantly; "but I
keep them in my husband's dressing-room."
From this region, after some difficulty and delay, the parlour-
maid produced the W-Z volume of an Encyclopaedia and, in
deference to the fact that the demand for it had come from Miss
Van Vluyck, laid the ponderous tome before her.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Beauty and The Beast by Bayard Taylor: but also, like true Christians, our legislatorial enemies. Olympia
Knapp, who, you know, is so very beautiful, presided at these
entertainments. She put forth all her splendid powers, and with
more effect than any of us suspected. On the day before the
bill reached its third reading, the Governor made her an offer of
marriage. She came to the managers in great agitation, and laid
the matter before them, stating that she was overwhelmed with
surprise (though Sarah Pincher always maintained that she wasn't in
the least), and asking their advice. We discussed the question for
four hours, and finally decided that the interests of the cause
would oblige her to accept the Governor's hand. "Oh, I am so
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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 The Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: the ladder. Yes, they was a scared lot, small blame to 'em, I
say! The next after Trent, come him as was mate."
"Goddedaal!" I exclaimed.
"And a good name for him too," chuckled the man-o'-war's
man, who probably confounded the word with a familiar oath.
"A good name too; only it weren't his. He was a gen'lem'n born,
sir, as had gone maskewerading. One of our officers knowed
him at 'ome, reckonises him, steps up, 'olds out his 'and right
off, and says he: ''Ullo, Norrie, old chappie!' he says. The
other was coming up, as bold as look at it; didn't seem put
out--that's where blood tells, sir! Well, no sooner does he 'ear
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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 Betty Zane by Zane Grey: followed by a chorus of exclamations.
"Heavens! Wetzel, you have wonderful eyes. I hope to God you are right. There,
I see the foremost rider waving his hand," cried Col. Zane.
"Oh, Bessie, Bessie! I believe Lew is right. Look at Tige," said Betty
excitedly.
Everybody had forgotten the dog. He had come down the path with Betty and had
pressed close to her. First he trembled, then whined, then with a loud bark he
ran down the bank and dashed into the water.
"Hel-lo, Betts," came the cry across the water. There was no mistaking that
clear voice. It was Isaac's.
Although the sun had long gone down behind the hills daylight lingered. It was
Betty Zane |
