| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: to whom Mr. Bird at once ceded the right of pre-emption. Stark betrayed
such visible anxiety that the vendor, Smith, declined setting a price.
Soon after Sir C. Anderson, of Lea (author of Ancient Models), came
in and took away the book to collate, but brought it back in the morning
having found it imperfect in the middle, and offered L5 for it.
Sir Charles had no book of reference to guide him to its value.
But in the meantime, Stark had employed a friend to obtain for him
the refusal of it, and had undertaken to give for it a little more than
any sum Sir Charles might offer. On finding that at least L5 could be
got for it, Smith went to the chemist and gave him two guineas, and then
sold it to Stark's agent for seven guineas. Stark took it to London,
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Silas Marner by George Eliot: "There's no lie, sir," said Godfrey. "I wouldn't have spent the
money myself, but Dunsey bothered me, and I was a fool, and let him
have it. But I meant to pay it, whether he did or not. That's the
whole story. I never meant to embezzle money, and I'm not the man
to do it. You never knew me do a dishonest trick, sir."
"Where's Dunsey, then? What do you stand talking there for? Go
and fetch Dunsey, as I tell you, and let him give account of what he
wanted the money for, and what he's done with it. He shall repent
it. I'll turn him out. I said I would, and I'll do it. He shan't
brave me. Go and fetch him."
"Dunsey isn't come back, sir."
Silas Marner |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Lone Star Ranger by Zane Grey: thet's enough of thet. I've more news. You're goin' to be
popular."
"Popular? What do you mean?"
"I met Bland's wife this mornin'. She seen you the other day
when you rode in. She shore wants to meet you, an' so do some
of the other women in camp. They always want to meet the new
fellers who've just come in. It's lonesome for women here, an'
they like to hear news from the towns."
"Well, Euchre, I don't want to be impolite, but I'd rather not
meet any women," rejoined Duane.
"I was afraid you wouldn't. Don't blame you much. Women are
The Lone Star Ranger |
