Final answer:
O. Henry uses a conversational tone in his narratives by directly addressing the reader, using first-person point of view, and informal language. These techniques engage the reader, making them feel part of the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
O. Henry, known for his wit and clever narrative style, often uses specific literary techniques to create a conversational and intimate tone, making the reader feel as though the narrator is speaking directly to them. Some of these techniques include direct address, where the narrator speaks to the reader as if having a personal conversation. Another technique is the use of the first-person point of view, which brings a sense of immediacy and personal involvement. O. Henry also crafts his prose with informal language and rhetorical questions, further enhancing the feeling of a one-on-one dialogue. For instance, when the narrator says, "Can you see how foggy the day is?", he is not just setting the scene, but also engaging the reader in the experience. Additionally, O. Henry's use of apostrophe, a figure of speech in which the narrator addresses an absent or unidentified person or an abstraction, adds a layer of interaction with the audience. By incorporating these conversational elements, the reader becomes not just an observer of the story, but a participant in the narrative.