Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

'Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present.'

There was clearly nothing left to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl.

'Jim, darling,' she cried, 'don’t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold it. I couldn’t live through Christmas without giving you a present. It’ll grow out again. You won’t mind, will you?'

'I sold the watch to get the money to buy the set of combs for your hair. Now, suppose you put the chops on.'

They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.

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.

The Gift of the Magi