| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo: there would be no further investigation of the luncheon incident.
"That might be a good idea," he said.
"It's THE idea," said Alfred; "most of my business is in Detroit
anyhow. I'm going to make that my headquarters and stay there."
Jimmy was almost smiling.
"As for Zoie," continued Alfred, "she can stay right here and go
as far as she likes."
"Not with me," thought Jimmy.
"But," shrieked Alfred, with renewed emphasis, "I'm going to find
out who the FELLOW is. I'll have THAT satisfaction!"
Jimmy's spirits fell.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James: things proceed out of the same spirit, which is differently named
love, justice, temperance, in its different applications, just as
the ocean receives different names on the several shores which it
washes. In so far as he roves from these ends, a man bereaves
himself of power, of auxiliaries. His being shrinks . . . he
becomes less and less, a mote, a point, until absolute badness is
absolute death. The perception of this law awakens in the mind a
sentiment which we call the religious sentiment, and which makes
our highest happiness. Wonderful is its power to charm and to
command. It is a mountain air. It is the embalmer of the world.
It makes the sky and the hills sublime, and the silent song of
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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 Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley: edge, that seems to have been rubbed against a stone.
Now look at that rubbed part, and tell me how it was done.
You have seen men often polish one stone on another, or scour
floors with a Bath brick, and you will guess at first that this
was polished so: but if it had been, then the rubbed place would
have been flat: but if you put your fingers over it, you will
find that it is not flat. It is rolled, fluted, channelled, so
that the thing or things which rubbed it must have been somewhat
round. And it is covered, too, with very fine and smooth
scratches or grooves, all running over the whole in the same line.
Now what could have done that?
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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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: speech to the dumb and strength to the ailing. It maketh the
foolish wise and driveth away devils, and without stint
furnisheth its possessor with everything that is lovely and
desirable." The tutor said, "Though, to all seeming, thou art a
man of staid and steadfast judgment, yet thy words prove thee to
be boastful beyond measure. Time would fail me to tell thee the
full tale of the costly and precious gems and pearls that I have
seen. But gems, with such power as thou tellest of, I never saw
nor heard of yet. Nevertheless shew me the stone; and if it be
as thou affirmest, I immediately bear it to the king's son, from
whom thou shalt receive most high honours and rewards. But,
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