Дары волхвов

           Dellafinishedhercry andattendedtohercheekswiththepowderrag. Shestoodbythewindowandlookedoutdullyatagreycat walkingagreyfenceinagreybackyard. TomorrowwouldbeChristmasDay, andshehadonly$1.87withwhichtobuyJimapresent. Shehadbeensavingeverypennyshecouldformonths, withthisresult. Twentydollarsaweekdoesn’tgofar. Expenseshadbeengreater thanshehadcalculated. Theyalwaysare. Only$1.87tobuyapresentforJim. HerJim. Manyahappyhourshehadspent planningforsomethingniceforhim. Somethingfineandrareandsterling —somethingjustalittlebitneartobeingworthyofthehonourofbeingownedbyJim. 

           Therewasapier-glassbetweenthewindowsoftheroom. Perhapsyouhaveseenapier-glassinan$8flat. Averythinandveryagilepersonmay,byobservinghisreflection inarapidsequenceoflongitudinalstrips,obtainafairlyaccurateconceptionofhislooks. Della,beingslender,hadmasteredtheart. 

           Suddenlyshewhirledfromthewindow andstoodbeforetheglass. Hereyeswereshiningbrilliantly, butherfacehadlostitscolourwithintwentyseconds. Rapidlyshepulleddownherhair andletitfalltoitsfulllength. 

           Now,thereweretwopossessionsoftheJamesDillinghamYoungs inwhichtheybothtookamightypride. OnewasJim’sgoldwatch thathadbeenhisfather’sandhisgrandfather’s. TheotherwasDella’shair. HadtheQueenofShebalivedintheflatacrosstheairshaft, Dellawouldhaveletherhairhangoutthewindowsomedaytodry justtodepreciateHerMajesty’sjewelsandgifts.