O. Henry tells us that Jim needed a new overcoat and he was ...

[TVarnum]

O. Henry tells us that Jim needed a new overcoat and he was withoutgloves (paragraph 25). Why do you think Della didnt buy him these things for Christmas instead of a watch chain?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What do the details in paragraph 7 tell you about Della and Jims financial situation?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[softEldritch]

Answer to Question 1

Presumably for the same reason that your mother doesnt want a blender for Mothers Day. As paragraph 6 points out, she wants to buy him a gift that would be fine and rare and sterlingsomething just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. It must be something precious and extravagant enough to convey her feelings for him, not something merely functional, however much in need of it he might be.

Answer to Question 2

Weve just been told in paragraph 6 that Twenty dollars a week doesnt go far. Even with no other guide to monetary values a century ago, we can conclude from that fact that an 8 flat is not a very sumptuous residence. And even though some grades of pier-glass (a long, narrow mirror usually set between windows) can be expensive, it is suggested here that a pier-glass in an 8 flat is of rather shoddy quality.

[TVarnum]

Excellent

[mjenn52]

TYSM