| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum: taken us, who are your elders, months to perfect. But now," he added,
turning to the others, "let us get aboard and start upon our journey."
"Where shall we go?" asked Tip, as he clambered to a seat on the sofas and
assisted the Pumpkinhead to follow him.
"In the South Country rules a very delightful Queen called Glinda the Good,
who I am sure will gladly receive us," said the Scarecrow, getting into the
Thing clumsily. "Let us go to her and ask her advice."
"That is cleverly thought of," declared Nick Chopper, giving the Woggle-Bug
a boost and then toppling the Saw-Horse into the rear end of the cushioned
seats." I know Glinda the Good, and believe she will prove a friend indeed."
"Are we all ready?" asked the boy.
The Marvelous Land of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Glasses by Henry James: lesson--that, good-natured as he was, my being there to see it all
oppressed him; so that by the time the act ended I recognised that
I too had filled out my hour. Dawling remembered things; I think
he caught in my very face the irony of old judgments: they made
him thresh about in his chair. I said to Flora as I took leave of
her that I would come to see her, but I may mention that I never
went. I'd go to-morrow if I hear she wants me; but what in the
world can she ever want? As I quitted them I laid my hand on
Dawling's arm, and drew him for a moment into the lobby.
"Why did you never write to me of your marriage?"
He smiled uncomfortably, showing his long yellow teeth and
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: Your steamer leaves from this part of the city, and I will
immediately send out and get you a cabin. Then, at half past
four o'clock, just call for me here, and I will go with you
and put you on board. It's a big boat; you might get lost.
A few days hence, at the end of the week, I will come down
to Newport and see how you are getting on."
The two young Englishmen inaugurated the policy of not resisting Mrs. Westgate
by submitting, with great docility and thankfulness, to her husband.
He was evidently a very good fellow, and he made an impression upon
his visitors; his hospitality seemed to recommend itself consciously--
with a friendly wink, as it were--as if it hinted, judicially, that you
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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 Wrong Box by Stevenson & Osbourne: Even if you don't play yourself, your friends might like to
entertain themselves with a little music while you were mudding.'
'I shall get one at once if you like,' said Pitman nervously,
anxious to please. 'I play the fiddle a little as it is.'
'I know you do,' said Michael; 'but what's the fiddle--above all
as you play it? What you want is polyphonic music. And I'll tell
you what it is--since it's too late for you to buy a piano I'll
give you mine.'
'Thank you,' said the artist blankly. 'You will give me yours? I
am sure it's very good in you.'
'Yes, I'll give you mine,' continued Michael, 'for the inspector
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