| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: Books destroyed at the Reformation, Si.--dried in an attic, 16.--
examination of old covers, i 16.--how to dust them, 134.
-injured by hacking, i x i.--lost at sea, 17, 18.--margin reduced
to size, i 11.--mildew in, 136.--from monasteries destroyed, 9.--
restoration when injured, 114.--restored after a fire, 15.--
scarce before printing, 2.--sold to a cobbler, 52, 149.--too tight
on shelves, 137.--their claims to be preserved, 151.--used to bake
"pyes," 10.--which scratch one another, 134.
Book-sale in Derbyshire, 145.
Bookworm, the, 67-93.
--attempt to breed, 81-3.--from Greece, 82.--in paper box, 89.--
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: last night?" Gregory persisted.
"He answers that description. What of it?"
"And be is your nephew?"
"My brother's son," David said steadily.
Somehow it began to dawn on him that there was nothing inimical in
this strange visitor, that he was anxious and ill at ease. There
was, indeed, something almost beseeching in Gregory's eyes, as
though he stood ready to give confidence for confidence. And, more
than that, a sort of not unfriendly stubbornness, as though he had
come to do something he meant to do.
"Sit down," he said, relaxing somewhat. "Certainly my nephew is
The Breaking Point |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Heart of the West by O. Henry: than flaxseed. Place a few seed in the outer corner of the eye.
I shoved the Handbook back in my pocket, and grabbed a boy that was
running by.
"Here," says I, giving him some money, "run to the drug store and
bring a dollar's worth of flaxseed. Hurry, and you'll get another one
for yourself. Now," I sings out to the crowd, "we'll have Mrs.
Sampson!" And I throws away my coat and hat.
Four of the firemen and citizens grabs hold of me. It's sure death,
they say, to go in the house, for the floors was beginning to fall
through.
"How in blazes," I sings out, kind of laughing yet, but not feeling
Heart of the West |
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 The Pool of Blood in the Pastor's Study by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: cowered close by the high iron gates, and he had a personal
acquaintance with most of the patients, with all of the attendants,
and most of all, with the kind elderly physician who was the head
of the establishment. Janci knew them all, and had a kind word
equally for all. But otherwise he was a silent man, living much
within himself.
When the shepherd reached his little home, his wife came to meet
him with a call to breakfast. As they sat down at the table a
shadow moved past the little window. Janci looked up. "Who was
that?" asked Margit, looking up from her folded hands. She had
just finished her murmured prayer.
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