Final answer:
The word 'sterling' in the sentence means 'of great value'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'sterling' in the sentence from 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry means 'of great value'. It suggests that the woman in the story was planning to buy something precious and valuable as a gift for Jim. The word 'sterling' is used metaphorically to reflect the worth and importance of the item she was intending to purchase.
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