Which excerpt best represents the central conflict of “The Gift of the Magi”?
“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.”
“Jim looked about the room curiously. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy.”
“Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present.”
“Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.”