| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Reminiscences of Tolstoy by Leo Tolstoy: When my father began to improve, I went back home, and on the
way from the Crimea went to Pirogóvo, in order to tell Uncle
Seryózha personally about the course of the illness and
about the present condition of my father's health. I remember how
joyfully and gratefully he welcomed me.
"How glad I am that you came! Now tell me all about it. Who
is with him? All of them? And who nurses him most? Do you go on
duty in turn? And at night, too? He can't get out of bed. Ah,
that's the worst thing of all!
"It will be my turn to die soon; a year sooner or later, what
does it matter? But to lie helpless, a burden to every one, to
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton: gentleman in," she replied, with the air of magnanimously
ignoring the irregularity of her mistress's course.
"You didn't let him in?"
"No, Madam. When the bell rang I was dressing, and Agnes--"
"Go and ask Agnes, then," Mary interjected. Trimmle still wore
her look of patient magnanimity. "Agnes would not know, Madam,
for she had unfortunately burnt her hand in trying the wick of
the new lamp from town--" Trimmle, as Mary was aware, had always
been opposed to the new lamp--"and so Mrs. Dockett sent the
kitchen-maid instead."
Mary looked again at the clock. "It's after two! Go and ask the
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