| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad: Being careful not to wake up the mate, whose room was opposite, I spoke
in an undertone.
He looked round anxiously. "Sir!"
"Can you get me a little hot water from the galley?"
"I am afraid, sir, the galley fire's been out for some time now."
"Go and see."
He flew up the stairs.
"Now," I whispered, loudly, into the saloon--too loudly,
perhaps, but I was afraid I couldn't make a sound.
He was by my side in an instant--the double captain slipped past
the stairs--through a tiny dark passage . . . a sliding door.
The Secret Sharer |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: voice in defence of the tetrarch.
One thought now consoled Herod-Antipas. He was no longer personally
responsible for the fate of Iaokanann. The Romans had assumed that
charge. What a relief! He had noticed Phanuel pacing slowly through
the court, and calling him to his side, he pointed put the guards
established by Vitellius, saying:
"They are stronger than I! I cannot now set the prisoner free! It is
not my fault if he remains in his dungeon."
The courtyard was empty. The slaves were sleeping. The day was drawing
to a close, and the sunset spread a deep rosy glow over the horizon,
against which the smallest objects stood out like silhouettes. Antipas
Herodias |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: questions to you, it is because we have a right to do so,
and if we make them in a particular tone, it is because that
tone, believe me, agrees with the circumstances."
"Gentlemen," said Athos, "you do not know who I am; but I
must tell you I acknowledge no one here but General Monk as
my equal. Where is he? Let me be conducted to him, and if he
has any questions to put to me, I will answer him and to his
satisfaction, I hope. I repeat, gentlemen, where is the
general?"
"Eh! good God! you know better than we do where he is," said
the lieutenant.
Ten Years Later |
