| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from When the Sleeper Wakes by H. G. Wells: gracefully designed trade advertisements.
In a sort of recess before each diner was a complete
apparatus of porcelain and metal. There was one
plate of white porcelain, and by means of taps for hot
and cold volatile fluids the diner washed this himself
between the courses; he also washed his elegant white
metal knife and fork and spoon as occasion required.
Soup and the chemical wine that was the common
drink were delivered by similar taps, and the remaining
covers travelled automatically in tastefully arranged
dishes down the table along silver rails. The diner
 When the Sleeper Wakes |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from La Grande Breteche by Honore de Balzac: husband's part; he did not wish to give his wife the opportunity of
saying anything with a double meaning. On Madame de Merret's side it
was pride or prudence. When the wall was half built up the cunning
mason took advantage of his master's back being turned to break one of
the two panes in the top of the door with a blow of his pick. By this
Madame de Merret understood that Rosalie had spoken to Gorenflot. They
all three then saw the face of a dark, gloomy-looking man, with black
hair and flaming eyes.
"Before her husband turned round again the poor woman had nodded to
the stranger, to whom the signal was meant to convey, 'Hope.'
"At four o'clock, as the day was dawning, for it was the month of
 La Grande Breteche |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: journey, and devoted the time instead to spreading out one of the pieces of
wrapping-paper, to keep the ice from the ground, because of the dead leaves
and "things" that were likely to cling to it.
"Now break off a good-sized piece, Tattine," Rudolph directed, "and put it on
a piece of paper near the fire," but Tattine knew that was the next thing to
do, so what was the use of Rudolph's telling her? It happens quite frequently
that people who are giving directions give too many by far.
"Now, Mabel," continued the drum-major, "will you please bring some more wood,
and will you please put your mind on it and keep bringing it? These little
twigs that make the best fire burn out in a twinkling, please notice," but
Mabel did not hurry so very much for the next armful; since she could see for
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