| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: And with that comprehension came the conviction, too, that David
had succeeded. He had indeed made a man.
He ate absently, consulting his railroad schedule and formulating
the arguments he meant to use against Dick's determination to give
himself up. He foresaw a struggle there, but he himself held one
or two strong cards - the ruthless undoing of David's work, the
involving of David for conspiring against the law. And Dick's own
obligation to the girl at home.
He was more at ease in the practical arrangements. An express went
through on the main line at midnight, and there was a local on the
branch line at eight. But the local train, the railway station,
The Breaking Point |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: When he had undressed her, and laid her in bed, Doss stretched himself
across her feet and lay whining softly.
So she lay all that morning, and all that afternoon.
Again and again Gregory crept close to the bedside and looked at her; but
she did not speak to him. Was it stupor or was it sleep that shone under
those half-closed eyelids. Gregory could not tell.
At last in the evening he bent over her.
"The oxen have come," he said; "we can start tomorrow if you like. Shall I
get the wagon ready tonight?"
Twice he repeated his question. Then she looked up at him, and Gregory saw
that all hope had died out of the beautiful eyes. It was not stupor that
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