Which short story features a wife with hair combs and a watch fob?

• A. The Necklace
• B. The Tell-Tale Heart
• C. The Gift of the Magi
• D. The Cask of Amontillado

Answer: (C)

Recognize a story built on personal sacrifices shared between a married couple. In this tale, a wife and her husband each give up something precious to buy a gift for the other. Della sells her long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his prized watch to buy Della a set of decorative hair combs. The exact objects—hair combs and a watch fob (or chain)—are the telltale details that point to this story. The other options revolve around different plots—a borrowed necklace, a guilty conscience, or a revenge scheme—without those specific items in play. So the story that features a wife with hair combs and a watch fob is The Gift of the Magi.