| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from War and the Future by H. G. Wells: bayonet very probably are becoming obsolete too. Knives and
clubs and revolvers serve better in the trenches. The krees and
the Roman sword would be as useful. The fine flourish of the
bayonet is only possible in the rare infrequent open. Even the
Zulu assegai would serve as well.
The two operations of the infantry attack now are the rush and
the "scrap." These come after the artillery preparation. Against
the rush, the machine gun is pitted. The machine gun becomes
lighter and more and more controllable by one man; as it does so
the days of the rifle draw to a close. Against the machine gun
we are now directing the "Tank," which goes ahead and puts out
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield: Sweets it would have to be, however, thought William gloomily, fishing in
his pocket for change for the taxi-man. And he saw the kiddies handing the
boxes round--they were awfully generous little chaps--while Isabel's
precious friends didn't hesitate to help themselves...
What about fruit? William hovered before a stall just inside the station.
What about a melon each? Would they have to share that, too? Or a
pineapple, for Pad, and a melon for Johnny? Isabel's friends could hardly
go sneaking up to the nursery at the children's meal-times. All the same,
as he bought the melon William had a horrible vision of one of Isabel's
young poets lapping up a slice, for some reason, behind the nursery door.
With his two very awkward parcels he strode off to his train. The platform
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: sixteen, and ought to know better; but from what her mother insinuates, I
am afraid she is a perverse girl. She has been sadly neglected, however,
and her mother ought to remember it. Mr. Vernon set off for London as soon
as she had determined what should be done. He is, if possible, to prevail
on Miss Summers to let Frederica continue with her; and if he cannot
succeed, to bring her to Churchhill for the present, till some other
situation can be found for her. Her ladyship is comforting herself
meanwhile by strolling along the shrubbery with Reginald, calling forth all
his tender feelings, I suppose, on this distressing occasion. She has been
talking a great deal about it to me. She talks vastly well; I am afraid of
being ungenerous, or I should say, TOO well to feel so very deeply; but I
Lady Susan |
