| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Silas Marner by George Eliot: Mr. Macey, winking mysteriously, "and then make believe, if you
like, as you didn't see lights i' the stables, nor hear the stamping
o' the hosses, nor the cracking o' the whips, and howling, too, if
it's tow'rt daybreak. "Cliff's Holiday" has been the name of it
ever sin' I were a boy; that's to say, some said as it was the
holiday Old Harry gev him from roasting, like. That's what my
father told me, and he was a reasonable man, though there's folks
nowadays know what happened afore they were born better nor they
know their own business."
"What do you say to that, eh, Dowlas?" said the landlord, turning
to the farrier, who was swelling with impatience for his cue.
Silas Marner |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte: th' best, though he HAD a queer way with him. But you know, Miss,
he's rich an' young, and such like cannot right understand the
thoughts of a poor old woman such as me. But, howsever, I did my
best to do all as he bade me - but maybe I'm plaguing you, Miss,
wi' my chatter.'
'Oh, no, Nancy! Go on, and tell me all.'
'Well, my rheumatiz got better - I know not whether wi' going to
church or not, but one frosty Sunday I got this cold i' my eyes.
Th' inflammation didn't come on all at once like, but bit by bit -
but I wasn't going to tell you about my eyes, I was talking about
my trouble o' mind; - and to tell the truth, Miss Grey, I don't
Agnes Grey |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas: parties of citizens who perpetually crossed our path and
looked at you and your four men with fiery eyes."
"Speak out," answered D'Artagnan.
"I had only to cry out `Help!' for you and for your
companions to be cut to pieces, and then I should have been
free."
"Why didn't you do it?" asked the lieutenant.
"Come, come!" cried Rochefort. "Did we not swear friendship?
Ah! had any one but you been there, I don't say ---- "
D'Artagnan bowed. "Is it possible that Rochefort has become
a better man than I am?" he said to himself. And he caused
Twenty Years After |
