Question

Based on the following excerpt from O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” which statement about Della is most likely true?

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it.

A.
Della is upset because her house is in shabby condition for Christmas.
B.
Della is angry at herself for lying to the butcher to save some extra money.
C.
Della is ashamed because she cheated the local vegetable man out of money.
D.
Della is sad because she doesn’t have enough money to buy Christmas presents.

Answer 1

D.

Della is sad because she doesn’t have enough money to buy Christmas presents.

Step-by-step explanation:

Correct on Plato

Answer 2

Della is sad that she didn't have enough money saved to get gifts; since it says "...and the next day would be Christmas," this implies it was important to the plot or story. The answer should be D.