| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Master Key by L. Frank Baum: dreadfully worried about you, and mother--"
"Well, what about mother?" inquired the boy, anxiously, as she paused.
"She's been very ill, Rob; and the doctor said to-day that unless we
heard from you soon he would not be able to save her life. The
uncertainty about you is killing her."
Rob stood stock still, all the eager joy of his return frozen into horror
at the thought that he had caused his dear mother so much suffering.
"Where is she, Nell?" he asked, brokenly.
"In her room. Come; I'll take you to her."
Rob followed with beating heart, and soon was clasped close to his
mother's breast.
The Master Key |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Sarrasine by Honore de Balzac: everybody knows how little they cost. In a city where social problems
are solved by algebraic equations, adventurers have many chances in
their favor. Even if this family were of gypsy extraction, it was so
wealthy, so attractive, that fashionable society could well afford to
overlook its little mysteries. But, unfortunately, the enigmatical
history of the Lanty family offered a perpetual subject of curiosity,
not unlike that aroused by the novels of Anne Radcliffe.
People of an observing turn, of the sort who are bent upon finding out
where you buy your candelabra, or who ask you what rent you pay when
they are pleased with your apartments, had noticed, from time to time,
the appearance of an extraordinary personage at the fetes, concerts,
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: his head held high, as though heralds and pursuivants went in
front of him, as though nobles surrounded him and guards or
regiments followed after him. Let it be admitted that he was a
great figure in his gorgeous robes, with his long white beard,
his hawk-like features, his tall shape and his glittering eyes,
which even at that distance I could see. Indeed once or twice I
thought that he glanced out of the corners of them towards the
chapel where we were hid. But this I think was fancy. For as Yva
said, his thoughts were set elsewhere.
He reached the statue of Fate and stood for a while
contemplating it and the suppliant figures on either side, as
When the World Shook |
