| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad: "Yes; I do. We're buried in special books up to our necks - whole
shelves full of them - with plates. . . . It's a noxious, rascally-
looking, altogether detestable beast, with a sort of smooth face
and moustaches."
"Described to a T," commended the Assistant Commissioner. "Only
mine is clean-shaven altogether. You've seen him. It's a witty
fish."
"I have seen him!" said Toodles incredulously. "I can't conceive
where I could have seen him."
"At the Explorers, I should say," dropped the Assistant
Commissioner calmly. At the name of that extremely exclusive club
The Secret Agent |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Middlemarch by George Eliot: "Confound John Waule! I did not mean to make you angry. I didn't
know you had any reason for being grateful to me. I forgot what
a great service you think it if any one snuffs a candle for you.
Fred also had his pride, and was not going to show that he knew
what had called forth this outburst of Mary's.
"Oh, I am not angry, except with the ways of the world. I do
like to be spoken to as if I had common-sense. I really often feel
as if I could understand a little more than I ever hear even from
young gentlemen who have been to college." Mary had recovered,
and she spoke with a suppressed rippling under-current of laughter
pleasant to hear.
Middlemarch |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Letters from England by Elizabeth Davis Bancroft: beautiful residence for the first lord. . . . I had a long talk
with Lord Morpeth last evening about Mr. Sumner, and told him of his
nomination. He has a strong regard for him. . . . Not a moment
have I had to a London "lion." I have driven past Westminster, but
have not been in it. I have seen nothing of London but what came in
my way in returning visits.
LETTER: To I.P.D.
LONDON, November 17, 1846
My dear Uncle: I cannot help refreshing the remembrance of me with
you and dear Aunty by addressing a separate letter to you. . . .
Yesterday we hailed with delight our letters from home. . . . One
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