Which O. Henry short story features a man, his wife, some hair combs, and a watch fob?

• A. The Cop and the Anthem
• B. The Gift of the Magi
• C. The Last Leaf
• D. A Retrieved Reformation

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is recognizing a story in which a husband and wife make heartbreaking sacrifices to give each other meaningful gifts, with hair combs and a watch fob playing central roles. In this tale, Della sells her long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch fob, hoping to give him a treasured keepsake. Meanwhile, Jim sells his prized watch to buy Della a beautiful set of hair combs for her braided hair. The twist—and the emotional punch—come from each sacrifice being made to pamper the other, highlighting how love can outshine material gifts. This is the story most famous for its ironic ending and the moral that love is the greatest gift.

Other stories in the set feature very different plots—one about a man seeking shelter in winter, another about a sick girl and a leaf, and another about a former safecracker who reforms—so they do not center on a couple and the hair combs or a watch fob.