Idler Monday

Two foolish

children

in a flat

AT THIS time of year we look to our short story writers for something that truly captures the spirit of Christmas. This year it's the turn of O Henry and his The Gift of the Magi.

James and Della Dillingham Young are living in a flat in New York, around the turn of the 19^th century.

"The 'Dillingham' had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, the letters of 'Dillingham' looked blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called 'Jim' and greatly hugged by Mrs James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della."

Some more about this loving couple.

"Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy."

But it's Christmas Eve and all Della has to buy Jim a present is $1.87.

She dashes into town and sells her glorious locks to a wigmaker for $20. Then she goes hunting for a present for Jim, a platinum fob chain for his watch.

"She found it at last … As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it …"

Then Jim arrives home

Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold it because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present."

Jim produces what he's bought for her – beautiful tortoiseshell combs with jewelled edges, to hold up her lovely hair. He's sold his watch to pay for them.

"The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men - who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

Powerful stuff.

Seasonal greetings to one and all.

Tailpiece

GOOD King Wenceslas phones the pizza parlour: "The usual please … deep and crisp and even."

 

Last word

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fireside and his quiet home! – Charles Dickens