麦琪的礼物英文戏剧剧本

The Gift of the Magi①One 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(强迫;胁迫)the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony②that such close dealing implied.Three times Della counted it.One dollar and eightyeighty--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.Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs,sniffles,and smiles,with sniffles predominating.③While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second,take a look at the home.④A furnished flat at$8per week.It did not exactly beggar description,but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.⑤In the vestibule(门厅;前厅)below was a letter-box into which no letter would go,and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring⑥.Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name"Mr.James Dillingham Young."⑦The"Dillingham"had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid$30per week.⑧Now,when the①麦琪（Magi，单数为Magus）：指圣婴基督出生时来自东方送礼的三贤人，载于《圣经·马太福音》第二章第一节和第七至第十三节。

D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents. D: I---- I---- I have to have my hair cut and sold it . In that way I can get some money and I can buy a beautiful present for Jim.
civilization ofan importance performance.


Group 8

D: Look. A gold watch chain. Isn’t it lovely ,Jim? I hunted all over the town to find it. You’ll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it .
Group 8
李丽娜 Della [delə] （girl） 邹燕婷 Jim （boy） 马月明 Sofronie[səu'frɔni ] Hair Goods of All Kinds 郑青 Mon--Repoter 黄翠媚 Working behind the scenes people
GIFT OF MAGI

D:Ah! The combs [kəumz] .
They were in the shop windows for many months!

麦琪的礼物英文THE GIFT OF THE MAGIby O. Henry第一场人物:安琪(A)，德拉(D)，莎弗朗尼娅夫人(M),服务员1(S1)，服务员2(S2) MAGI DELLA MNE.SOFRONIE SELLSGIRL1 SELLSGIRL2 地点:小街的拐角处(背景音乐响起)A:(面向观众，微笑)I'm the angle of love.Today is Chirsmas Eve,I'm coming to the earth for succeeding the massion of Maggie.Somebody is coming. 德拉带上帽子冲出门莎弗朗尼娅夫人拿着牌子，上面写着“Madam Sofronnie,I buy all kinds of hair goods”D: (呆呆地)Are you Madam Sofronnie?S1:No,I am not.What is wrong?D:I want to sell my hair.S1:OK!Follow me.S1:Excuse me,Mrs Sofronnie.There is alady want to meet you. M:Let her come.D:Hello!You must be Mrs Sofronnie.M: (冰冷地)Yes ,I am.D: So, will you buy my hair?M: Yes,I buy all kinds of hair.Sit down, please.Take your hat off and let me havea look.D:(小心翼翼地脱下帽子)Will you buy my hair?M:(惊讶)Are you sure to sell it?S2:How beautiful the hair is.Just like the golden fall. D:(眷恋地摸摸头发，转而坚决)Yes,I'll sell it.Tell me , how much does it worth? S2:I have never seen such beautiful hair.It can sell a good price. M:(绕着德拉走了一圈，强压住兴奋)Well, I'll give you the hightest price.Twenty dollars,that's enough.D: All right,but please give it to me quickly.M: Don't hurry,let me have your hair cut first.(拿出剪刀，并发出咔咔声)So,I'll start?D:(闭上眼睛，干脆地说)Just do it.S2:What a pity to cut the long hair!M:(熟练地剪完头发)Here you are.Twenty dollars.D: Thank you(谨慎地接过钱，再看一眼头发)Thank you.(揣着钱急冲冲地下) A: Oh,what a poor woman!Why did she do that?Why did you sell her beautiful long hair?It is so unbelivable.M: Oh,my god.How beautifl the hair is!Twenty dollars is beyond its value!Oh,so beautiful ! Ha ha～I'll take ithome and have a happy Chirstmas!(捧着头发下)A: Della has spent two hours in the street,what does she want to buy on earth?D:(立在一个橱窗前) Oh,what a beautiful gold watchchain.I think it must match Jim's gold watch.When hesees it,he must be very happy.The price is twenty-one dollars,I can still have eight cents left. I'll get it.第二场人物:安琪(A)，吉姆(J)，营业员小姐(S),老板(B)，老板娘(W)MAGI JIM SELLSGIRL BOSS BOSS'SWIFE 地点:百老汇路上的一家商店A:Why are there so many things that we have to give up in the world?Giving up for what?吉姆走进商店J:Excuse me,could I sell a watch here?S:(上下打量的眼神) You? Sell a watch? I'm sorry, I don't think a man who has a economic brain will buy athing which is as useless as litter.J:(诚恳又着急)No, it is a gold watch!(脱下手腕上的手表) It's the most valuable thingI have.S:(不屑一顾)Oh?The mose valuable?I have to see how rare a watch can a poor man ownlike you !J:(递表)It's the third succession of my ancesters.A: Oh, what a reluctant give up!S:(抢过表，忽然两眼放光) Amm, it's a true gold watch. Wait for a moment.I'll ask my boss.S:Excuse me,boss.A young man want to sell this golden watch. B:Let me have a look.W:Oh!Oh, good guy! It's a true sense of gold watch!B:Yes,I should ask how much money does he want.B:How much do you want?J:(指着柜台内的一套发梳) I don't want any money. I, I just want the beautiful comb!W:You mean,the comb?(拿出发梳)You just want the comb?J:Yes, it is the very thing that my wife has wanted for a long time!A:His wife?Comb?S:(兴奋)Oh, look at it! What a nice comb!J:Yes, it is quite beautiful! It would be good enough to match my wife's golden yellowhair.But,do youwant to trade with me?B:(故做忧郁状) Let me see～J: I'm pleasant to exchange the gold watch for the comb. I know how my wife likes it!B:You're so whole-hearted that it's hard for me to refuse you!(递过发梳)J: Oh,thank you!(兴奋地接过发梳)Thank you!(兴奋地带着发梳下)W:(细看金表)Oh, good guy! It's a true sense of gold watch!(窃喜)No comb can becompared with it!A: He should not be a foolish man!But he is willing to change a gold watch for a comb!Shemust be ahappy wife!第三场人物:安琪(A)，吉姆(J)，德拉(D)MAGI JIM DELLA地点:吉姆和德拉的家德拉拿着镜子欣赏着自己的新发型A: What a poor woman,she looked wonderfully like a truant schoolboy.However,she is a happy wife,too.Her husband loves her so much.D:(对着镜子自言自语)If Jim doesn't kill me,before he takes a second look at me,he'll say I like a chorus girlof Coney Island.But I have no choice.Oh!What can I do with one dollar and eighty-seven cents?Please God,let Jim still consider that I'm still pretty .D:I don't know whether he'll continue love me.吉姆进门，愣住，用奇怪的眼神打量德拉J:Della?D: Jim, darling. Don't look at me in this way.I had my hair cut and sold, because I can't forgive me if I werenot give a presant to you.You won't care about it, will you?You know,my hair grows very fast. Say "MerryChristmas", Jim! And let's happy as usual. You don't know what a nice , what a beautiful gift I've boughtfor you.J:(似乎没反应过来，吃力地) You've cut your hair?D:Cut and sold .(握住吉姆的手)You will love me forever no matter what hapens, is it right,Without myhair, I am the same. Don't you think so,J:(用近乎白痴的眼神，四下张望着屋子，似乎在寻找着什么)You mean that your hair hasgone?D:You need't look for it.I'd sold it.I tell you,cut and sold. Tonight is Chirstmas Eve, Jim. I sold my hairwas all for you. My hair are countable,but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put thechops on, Jim,吉姆从恍惚中清醒过来，拥住德拉A: Oh,look at the shabby house,which costs eight dollars,or one millon room charge a year,There areno different.J: (吉姆从口袋掏出一包东西，扔到桌上) Don't make any mistakes about me, Della. I don't think there'sanything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.Butif you'll upwrap the package,you may realize why you had me going while at first.德拉敏捷地打开盒子，一阵狂喜，而后神经质地大笑了D:My hair grows so fast, Jim. Oh,oh! Isn't it a danndy,Jim?(将盒子紧紧抱在怀中，掏出表链放到吉姆手中)I hunted all over town to find it. You can look at the time a hundred times a day now.Give me your watch,I want to see how it looks on it.J:(微笑)Della,let's put our Chirstmas presents away and keep them a while.They're too nice to use just atpresent. I sold the watch to get money to buy your combs. And now, suppose you put the chops on.A: Now that, it isn't necessary.For me,the angle of love, giving the gift to the happy couple.They give themost valuable and priceless gifts to each other. That is what I want to give -- Love!。

The Gifts（麦琪的礼物）Mon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents .They have only 20 dollars a week, it doesn’t leave much for savin g.In fact, Della and Jim have two possessions in which they both take very great pride. One is Jim’s gold watch, which has been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other is Della’s long beautiful hair.旁白：明天是圣诞节，但是德拉觉得很难过，因为她无钱为她丈夫吉姆买一圣诞礼物，她只有1.87美元，他们一个月只有20美元的收入，那很难再从中省钱了。

事实上，德拉和吉姆有两件让他们引以为豪的宝贝，一件是吉姆的金表，那是从他祖父和父亲那里留传下来的，还有一件是德拉那一头棕发，又长又美丽。

D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents.德拉：生活对我来说很困难，虽然我很多个月以前就开始存钱了，我仍然只有1.87美元。

D: I—- I—- I have to have my hair cut and sold it . In that way I can get some money and I can buy a beautiful present for Jim.德拉：我……我……我不得不剪了头发去卖掉，那样我就能得到一些钱去买礼物给吉姆了。

THE GIFT OF THE MAGIE第一幕Della and her husband lived a poor life. They had two valuable things: one was Jim’s gold watch and the other was Della’s beautiful, brown hair. One day, they go out for a walk.(Della approached to a special comb，fiddling with her attractive hair. )Della: (turned back to Jim then asked) Jim, this comb is strange, isn’t it?Jim: (Got close to Della) do you like it? We can buy it if you do.Dells: No. I… I am just thinking about its strange shape. (开始玩赏梳子)Jim: (Looking at and touching Della’s beautiful hair, he considered that …Maybe I can buy a beautiful comb for Della, as a Christmas gift! Her beautiful hair deserves it. Yes, she would surely like it!Della: Jim? (Smile) let’s go and see what other interesting things can find. (于是挽着Jim 的手继续往前走)Della passed by a jewelry shop, and saw a golden chain. She felt happy and went into the shop. There were two wealthy women in the shop; the boss was showing them jewelry.路过一个珠宝店，Della从橱窗里看到一条金色的怀表链子。

《麦琪的礼物》The Gifts 礼物，这个话剧改编自《麦琪的礼物》，《麦琪的礼物》是美国著名文学家欧·亨利写的一篇短篇小说，它通过写在圣诞节前一天，一对小夫妻互赠礼物，结果阴差阳错，两人珍贵的礼物都变成了无用的东西，而他们却得到了比任何实物都宝贵的东西——爱，告诉人们尊重他人的爱，学会去爱他人，是人类文明的一个重要表现。

Mon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents . They have only 20 dollars a week, it doesn’t leave much for saving.旁白：明天是圣诞节，但是德拉觉得很难过，因为她无钱为她丈夫吉姆买一圣诞礼物，她只有1.87美元，他们一个月只有20美元的收入，那很难再从中省钱了。

In fact, Della and Jim have two possessions in which they both take very great pride. One is Jim’s gold watch, which has been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other is Della’s long beautiful hair.事实上，德拉和吉姆有两件让他们引以为豪的宝贝，一件是吉姆的金表，那是从他祖父和父亲那里留传下来的，还有一件是德拉那一头棕发，又长又美丽。

D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents.德拉：生活对我来说很困难，虽然我很多个月以前就开始存钱了，我仍然只有1.87美元。

《麦琪的礼物》The Gifts 礼物，这个话剧改编自《麦琪的礼物》，《麦琪的礼物》是美国著名文学家欧·亨利写的一篇短篇小说，它通过写在圣诞节前一天，一对小夫妻互赠礼物，结果阴差阳错，两人珍贵的礼物都变成了无用的东西，而他们却得到了比任何实物都宝贵的东西——爱，告诉人们尊重他人的爱，学会去爱他人，是人类文明的一个重要表现。

Mon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents . They have only 20 dollars a week, it doesn’t leave much for saving.旁白：明天是圣诞节，但是德拉觉得很难过，因为她无钱为她丈夫吉姆买一圣诞礼物，她只有1.87美元，他们一个月只有20美元的收入，那很难再从中省钱了。

In fact, Della and Jim have two possessions in which they both take very great pride. One is Jim’s gold watch, which has been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other is Della’s long beautiful hair.事实上，德拉和吉姆有两件让他们引以为豪的宝贝，一件是吉姆的金表，那是从他祖父和父亲那里留传下来的，还有一件是德拉那一头棕发，又长又美丽。

D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents.德拉：生活对我来说很困难，虽然我很多个月以前就开始存钱了，我仍然只有1.87美元。

THE GIFT OF THE MAGIEAct 1(Narratage: Della and her husband lived a modest life. They had two valuable things: one was Jim's gold watch and the other was Della's beautiful, brown hair. One day, they go out for a walk.)(Della approached to a special comb, fiddling with her charming hair. ) Della: (turned back to Jim then asked) Jim, this comb is strange, isn't it? Jim: (Got close to Della) do you like it? We can buy it if you do.Dells: No. I… I am just thinking about its peculiar shape. (Dells started to enjoy the comb.)Jim: (looking at and touching Della's beautiful hair, he consideredthat …Maybe I can buy a handsome comb for Della, as a Christmas gift! Her magnificent hair deserves it. Yes, she would surely like it!)Della: Jim? (smile) let's go and see what other interesting things can find. (Then Della took him by the hand and continued to walk) (Narratage: Della passed by a jewelry shop, and saw a golden chain. She felt happy and went into the shop. There were two wealthy women in the shop; the boss was showing them jewelry.)Boss: (subservient like a slave) Wow! Dear Madam, look, you are so perfect when you wear this ring! It's terrific!Woman1: (delighte d) Really?Boss: (truckling) Yes, yes!Woman1: w2, how do you think of it?Woman2: (Look at it dismissively) Em…The color is good… How do you think about my neck chain?Boss: (Speak flaunt) Wow! You have chosen one of the best neck chains. The chain is perfect for you.Woman1: W1, what is your idea?(Della and Jim come in)Woman1: (sarcastic) wow, new guests.Woman2: Oh! So shabby shirt does she wear! How do they dare to come here? (The two wealthy women come to Della and Jim)Woman1: Do you want to buy some rings or some chains? Maybe it is a little bit expensive for you. (show off her ring)Woman2: (ask Della) How do you think about my neck chain? Or do you consider that the 500$ one is better?Della: (suppress unpleasant heart and smile unwillingly) Both of them are gorgeous, Madam. We presently come to have a look at the goods. Boss: (Tidy goods and speak with an aloof manner) welcome to ourjewelry shop.Woman1: Wow! (Look at Jim's watch) Sir. Your watch is so special. It must be very expensive.Jim: My father gave it to me.Wonman2: (minimized) I had guessed it.Della: I think my husband's watch is handsome, madam. We don't need to buy anything from here. (Then she went out with Jim arm in arm.)Act 2(Narratage: Della thought that the watch chain in the jewelry store matches Jim' watch very well. Jim's pocket watch is lack of such chain. She tries her best to save money to buy Jim a watch chain. One day met Bob who held a blanket of bread. She stopped him anxiously.)Della: (In a low voice)"Bob, I want to talk with you about something." Bob: (impatient) what is up? I am hurrying to send this bread to Miss …if I am late, she would be angryDella: I recently bought your bread. Don't you remember?Bob: Yeah, I can remember. So what's wrong with that?Della: I bought 5 pounds of bread. 2.43 dollars be pound. I gave you 20 dollars. You paid me back 6dollars and 5 cents, right?Bob: (thought for a while) answer doubtfully "Err...Yeah, I think so. Della: (very excited) well. Bob, I think you should pay me back 6 dollars and 7cents, not 6dollars and 5cents.So you owe me 2cents.You can count it again.Bob: (Very surprised) that's not true. DellaDella: (very anxious) just think about it, 2.43dollars each pound, and... Bob: (interrupt her abruptly) I don't want to count any more, just 2cents. Della: (A little bit angry) Yes. Just 2cents.But it's mine. You have to pay it back to me.Bob: (Complaining) Oh! OK. Della. You always like this. Haggle over every ounce.(Bob put the blanket down and get money from his pocket)Bob: Just 1dollar and 3cents. (hold it kindly) I give it to you. (put it in her hand with all his strength and walk away quickly with the blanket) You are so mean!Della: (smiles satisfied) Many thanks. (Pour all money in her hands and count again. Talking to her), how could it be like this. I just have...I cannot buy a watch chain with it. What should I do? (Then Della went home.)Act 3(Narratage: Tomorrow is Charisma but Della does not have enoughmoney to purchase a chain for her husband. She was very upset. Suddenly, she put away the basket and went out quickly. It seems that she has thought of something pleasant happy. She went into a barbershop.)(A barber went to Della and with a smile.)Barber: Welcome madam. What can I do for you?Della: (timid) Sir, do you want to buy my hair?Barber: (He looked at her hair tenderly) your hair is very beautiful. I can offer you 30$.Della: Sir, I need 40$ to buy my husband a chain as Charisma gift. Sir, please offer me 40$.Please.Barber: (though for a while) OK, I will give you 40$.(The barber took out his scissors. Della sits at the chair and looks at the mirror. When the Barber is going to cut her hair, she suddenly stood up.) Barber: (surprise) my lady, what is wrong with you?Della: (nervous) Nothing. I...I think I like my long hair...Barber: (a little bit irritated) my lady, do you still want to sell your hair? Della: (sit down again, say softly) let's begin.(At this time, the two rich women walk in and they look at Della with a curious look)Women1: Wow, we meet our old friend again..Woman2: What is she doing here? Is she also coming here to change her hair style?(The barber began to cut her hair. After half an hour, Della's hair became very short. She sat in the chair for a while and look at the mirror with sorrow.)Barber: (put away all the tools and took out 40$) Here is your money. Woman1: Oh! She sold her hair for money!Woman2: But she looks so strangeWoman1: Let me guess, are you sold your hair for money to buy jewelry? If so, I think that you have made a ridiculous decision, because there no use to wear jewelry since you are so ugly now.Della went out of the barbershop with out saying a wordAct 4(Narratage: Della went in to the jewelry shop to buy the watch chain for Jim as a Christmas gift. After her paying the money, her good friend Anny came.)Annie: Oh, Della, I can hardly recognize you. Why you had your amazing hair cut?Della: I sold my hair so I have enough money to buy this stunning watchchain as a gift for Jim.Annie: Della, I think that I should tell you something about the truth. Della: About what?Annie: Della, you don't need to do so many things for him. It is unworthy! Jim has been falling in love with another young lady, and now they are shopping in the next store.(Then Annie pull Della into the next store)Annie: Now you can trust me!(Della was very sad when she seeing Jim was shopping with a young lady) Della: How can you treat me like this? (She rushed out)Jim: Della, why you are so angry? There must be some mistakes between us.Della: No! Jim, all is genuine! I saw everything with my eyes.Annie: Della, don't believe him anymore.Jim: Oh, my dear wife, how can you consider that you must have thought that the young lady and I have done something terrible to you. I love you and I always do.Della: Jim, don't try to explain. I know that I'm not so fair as she. She's young and beautiful. But I love you.Annie: Della, let's go!Yogi: Please wait a moment. My dear lady, I believe that you must have made some mistakes. In fact, I don't know this gentleman at all. All that I know is that he sold his prized golden watch to my boss to buy the beautiful comb for his wife. You must be his cheerful wife. You shouldn't have misunderstood him.Della: Is that true?Jim: Yes, you know that I will never betray you.Della: I'm so sorry. I misunderstood you completely now. Jim, you shouldn't have sold your watch, because…Jim: Dear, because I love you, I can do anything for you. However, now, the comb is useless, because you had your hair cut. What a pity! I don't know why you had it cut. Dear, tell me about it.Della: Jim, because…Jim: Because of what? Dear.Della: Because I want to buy a watch chain for you to match your watch but I didn't have ample money. So …Jim: So you sold your gorgeous hair?Della: You are fine.Jim: (hugged Della) ha ha! We all intend to give a surprise to our beloved, but now the surprise isn't the same we want to get. How funny!Della: The comb is nevertheless useful, because my hair can grow quickly, b ut your watch …Jim: It doesn't matter. I will work hard to get back on my watch. The most important thing is that you are happy and you love me.Yogi: I am very glad to see you dispel the misunderstanding between you.I wish you a merry Christmas!Jim and Della: Thank you! The same to you.。

THE GIFT OF THE MAGIE(麦琪的礼物)第一幕旁白：Love is the most beautiful and precious thing in the world. But Have you ever wondered how much somebody loves you? You love him or her maybe because you think he is perfect or she is so beautiful. But how much does she or he really love you? Maybe giving is more important than receiving. Tonight, we want to share with you a simple story of a couple, Jim and Della. You will see ,giving is more important than receiving.(旁白退出)Dance(两个人刚刚从外面回来.)Della: It's so cold that I can hardly stand that .Jim: Yes dear ,.Maybe I should buy a new coat for you. Furthermore , the day after tomorrow is Christmas.Della : It doesn’t matter dear, my heart is warm only if you are around me .Jim: Thank you dear .(抚摸其头发，深情)抬起手时忽然表掉在了地上，Della帮忙捡了起来。

Della ：I like your favorite watch so much. But the chain is too old.Jim: It doesn’t matter, I feel content only if you love me .Dear, You always make me the happiest man in the world . (相视而笑)第二幕场景：A shop旁白：Do you love Christmas time ?The food, the present, the light, the cold winter air.I love Christmas .I wonder what Jim and Della will do for this Christmas year.Let’s find it out.(旁白退出)Shopkeeper1 : Welcome to our shop gentleman. What can I do for you ?Jim: I want to buy a present for my wife . Do you have anything to suggest? Shopkeeper2: Of course gentleman. What about this skirt .This is a new brand, young ladies like it .Jim :No, the color is too bright.Shopkeeper1:How about this one?(拿出另一件颜色较淡的裙子)Jim：No, it is too dark.Shopkeeper2:Look ,this blouse is pretty cool.(朝另一个shopkeeper示意) Shopkeeper1：Yes, it seems very fashionable.Jim: No. I don’ t like it.Shopkeeper2:This scarf must be suitable for your wife. It feels smooth and comfortable.Jim ：No ,it is not suitable for my wife.Shopkeeper 1:Oh, poor man. What on the earth do you want?Jim：I’m just thinking.（忽然眼睛一亮，看到了一把梳子）转向老板，How much is this one?Shopkeeper2: 50 dollars .Do you like it?Jim :No.Della : If you don’t really want to buy anything, please go to other pace to hang around.(不屑与嘲讽)Jim悻悻的离开了。

throim: Jim the name is first appeared as the whole name James Dillingham Young. The description of contracting his middle name shows that they lived a better life before but live a poor life now. Though the whole story is based on Jim’s watch, he is appeared at the end of the story. But the character soon catches my eye with several actions, “his eyes were fixed upon Della”, “he simply stared at her fixedly”, the series of “nor” and so on. These actions indicate that he loves his wife so much that he even sells out his heirloom. i think that the most impressive plot of the story is the appearance of Jim and his actions.
But they were very poor.
• Della only has one dollar and eightyseven cents. she knew it was not enough to buy any good gift. she has no idea , so she decided to cut down her beautiful brown hair and sold it, exchanged for 20 dollars. She used 21 dollars to buy a platinum fob chain(白金表链） for Jim.

• Jumy: uh, let me think about it. • Jim: I’m pleased to give up watch to get combs.
Because I know they are my wife favorite. • Jumy: well, for you are so sincere, I’m too harsh to
• Jumy: oh? The most valuable? I would like to see a scrubby like you can have how expensive things.
• • Jim: It’s an ancestral watch.
11
• Angel: Oh, another very reluctantly giving up!
The Gift of Magi
1
Angel: Winnie Della: Jimmy and Margaret
Jim: Sara and Elena Mrs Sofronie: Annie Watch buyer: Jumy
2
The First Act
characters:
Angel, Della, Mrs Sofronie
location:
the corner of the street
3
I am the angel of love. Today is Christmas Eve, and I come here to perform the
mission of Magi. I will give the most
7
• Angel:Oh, What a abnormal woman! Why does she make this foolish decision? This woman’s hair would depreciate the queen of Sheba 's jewels and gifts. Why does she sale her hair? It is so incredible!

THE GIFT OF THE MAGIE第一幕旁白：Della and her husband Jim lived a poor life. They had two valuable things: one was Jim’s gold watch and the other was Della’s beautiful, brown hair. In spite of poor life，Della and Jim loved each other very much.One day, they go out for a walk.(Della and Jim were walking.)旁白:They were arrival at a shop which sales combs.(Della approached to a special comb，fiddling with her attractive hair. )Della: (turned back to Jim then asked) Jim, this comb is strange, isn’t it?Jim: (Got close to Della) do you like it? We can buy it if you really like it.Dells: No. I… I am just thinking about its strange shape. (开始玩赏梳子)旁白: Loo king at and touching Della’s beautiful hair, Jim considered that I can buy a beautiful comb for Della, as a Christmas gift! Her beautiful hair deserves it. Yes, she would surely like it! And the Christmas is coming. Della: Jim? (Smile) let’s go and see what other interesting things can find. (于是挽着Jim 的手继续往前走)第二幕旁白:Della passed by a jewelry shop, and saw a golden chain. She felt happy and went into the shop. There were two wealthy women in the shop; the boss was showing them jewelry.Woman1: I want the most expensive jewelry in your small shop.Boss: Dear Madam, this is the most expensive and beautiful jewelry in my shop.(Boss took jewelry on women’s hand.)Boss: (奴颜婢膝，动作夸张)Wow! Dear Madam, look, you are so perfect when you wear this ring! It’s fantastic! Woman1: Really? But, I don’t think it is good enough.Boss: It is because you are so beautiful that this jewelry looks so ordinary. But if you take this jewelry on, you must be more beautiful. And many success men will fall in love with you at first sight.Woman1: (假装淡定地侧过头问woman2)w2, how do you think of it?Woman2: (不屑一顾地瞟了一眼) Emma…The color is good… How do you thin k about my neck chain?Boss:(赶紧冲上她们跟前，夸耀说) Wow! You have chosen one of the best neck chains. It looks perfect when you wear it.Woman2:W1, what is your idea?这时德拉和吉姆进来了Boss:（这时珠宝商品商站在原地整理着自己的商品，冷冷的说）welcome to our jewelry shop.Woman1:（讽刺的口吻）wow, new guests.两个贵妇走到德拉和吉姆面前Woman2: Oh! So shabby shirt does she wear! So shabby hat does he wear! How do they dare to come here? Woman1: Do you want to buy some rings or some chains? Maybe it is a little bit expensive for you.Woman2:（骄傲且有点讥讽地问Della）How do you think about my neck chain? Or do you think that the 500$ one is better? （拿起另外一条500$的项链在德拉面前显摆）Della:（抑制心中的不快,强笑着说）Both of them are beautiful, Madam. We just come to have a look at the goods.Boss:（这时珠宝商品商站在原地整理着自己的商品，冷冷的说）welcome to my jewelry shop.(Della walked to the watch chain and look at the watch chain)旁白: This watch chain look great. Della thought her husband’s pocket watch is lack of such chain. Maybe this watch chain can be a present for her husband on Christmas and her husband’s watch would be better. Della: I don’t like here .It’s too expensive.(Then she went out with Jim arm)第三幕旁白：Della felt very upset when she arrived home. Tomorrow is Charisma but she does not have enough money to buy a chain for her husband. Suddenly, she put away the basket and went out quickly. It seems that she has though of something good.At the same time, Jim thought he should buy a comb for Della as a Charisma gift.She went into a house where people have their hair cut .A barber went to Della and with smile. Barber: Welcome your presence, madam. What can I do for you?Della :( timid) Sir, do you want to ‘buy my hair?Barber :( he looked at her hair carefully) your hair is very beautiful. I can offer you 30$.Della: Sir, I need 40$ to buy my husband a chain as Charisma gift. Sir, please offer me 40$.Please.Barber :( though for a while) OK, I will give you 40$.(The barber took out his scissors. Della sits at the chair and looks at the mirror. When the Barber is going to cut her hair, she suddenly stood up.)Barber :( surprise) my lady, what is wrong with you?Della: (she nervous) Nothing. I... I like my long hair...Barber :( a little bit angry) my lady, do you still want to sell you hair?Della :( sit down again, say softly) let’s begin.第四幕旁白：Jim went to a shop which sale combsJim: I want to sale this watch to you and can you give me that strange comb.Shop owner(Barber饰)：This is the best comb in my shop. It is expensive.Jim: I really need it. I want it for my wife. Her hair is long soft and beautiful.Shop owner(Barber饰):Give me your watch.Jim: It’s here. My father gave it to me.Shop owner(Barber饰):It looks not bad. Maybe I can sale it in a good price.Shop owner(Barber饰):Deal, take that comb away and leave your watch.Jim: Thank you.第五幕旁白：On Charisma day.Della: I bought a gift for you .Can you give me your watch?Jim: Emma…I ‘sorry ,I sold my watch.Della: Sold? For what?Jim: I sold my watch and bought a comb for you.Della: Jim, you shouldn’t had sold your watch, because…Jim: You hair is long soft and beautiful.Della: I don’t have long soft and beautiful hair any more. I sold my hair and bought you watch chain.旁白：Silent Della in silent and cry.Jim :dear，because I love you ,I want to be happy. I can do anything for you. But now, the comb is useless, because you had you hair cut. What a pity! I don’t know why you had it cut .Dear, tell me about it.Della: The comb is still useful, because my hair can grow quickly. But your watch…Jim: It doesn’t matter; I will work hard to get back my watch. The most important thing is that you are happy and you love me.End。

THE GIFT OF THE MAGIBy O. Henry人物：安琪德拉吉姆莎孚朗尼亚夫人服务员A 服务员B第一场人物：安琪（A），德拉（D），莎弗朗尼娅夫人（M）,服务员1（S1），服务员2(S2)MAGI DELLA MNE.SOFRONIE SELLSGIRL1 SELLSGIRL2地点：小街的拐角处（背景音乐响起）A:（面向观众，微笑）I'm the angle of love. Today is Christmas Eve; I’m coming to the earth for succeeding the massion of Maggie. Somebody is coming.德拉带上帽子冲出门莎弗朗尼娅夫人拿着牌子，上面写着“Madam Sofronnie,I buy all kinds of hair goods”D: (呆呆地)Are you Madam Sofronnie?S1：No,I am not.What is wrong?D:I want to sell my hair.S1:OK!Follow me.S1:Excuse me,Mrs Sofronnie.There is alady want to meet you.M:Let her come.D:Hello!You must be Mrs Sofronnie.M: (冰冷地)Yes ,I am.D: So, will you buy my hair?M: Yes,I buy all kinds of hair.Sit down, please.Take your hat off and let me have a look.D:(小心翼翼地脱下帽子)Will you buy my hair?M:(惊讶)Are you sure to sell it?S2:How beautiful the hair is.Just like the golden fall.D:(眷恋地摸摸头发，转而坚决)Yes,I'll sell it.Tell me , how much does it worth? S2:I have never seen such beautiful hair.It can sell a good price.M:(绕着德拉走了一圈，强压住兴奋)Well, I'll give you the hightest price.Twenty dollars,that's enough.D: All right,but please give it to me quickly.M: Don't hurry,let me have your hair cut first.(拿出剪刀，并发出咔咔声)So,I'll start? D:(闭上眼睛，干脆地说)Just do it.S2:What a pity to cut the long hair!M:(熟练地剪完头发)Here you are.Twenty dollars.D: Thank you(谨慎地接过钱，再看一眼头发)Thank you.(揣着钱急冲冲地下）A: Oh,what a poor woman!Why did she do that?Why did you sell her beautiful long hair?It is so unbelivable.M: Oh,my god.How beautifl the hair is!Twenty dollars is beyond its value!Oh,so beautiful ! Ha ha！I'll take ithome and have a happy Chirstmas!(捧着头发下)A: Della has spent two hours in the street,what does she want to buy on earth?D:(立在一个橱窗前) Oh,what a beautiful gold watchchain.I think it must match Jim's gold watch.When hesees it,he must be very happy.The price is twenty-one dollars,I can still have eight cents left. I'll get it.第二场人物：安琪（A），吉姆（J），营业员小姐（S）,老板(B)，老板娘(W) MAGI JIM SELLSGIRL BOSS BOSS'SWIFE 地点：百老汇路上的一家商店A:Why are there so many things that we have to give up in the world?Giving up for what?吉姆走进商店J:Excuse me,could I sell a watch here?S:(上下打量的眼神) You? Sell a watch? I'm sorry, I don't think a man who has a economic brain will buy athing which is as useless as litter.J:(诚恳又着急)No, it is a gold watch!(脱下手腕上的手表) It's the most valuable thing I have.S:(不屑一顾)Oh?The most valuable?I have to see how rare a watch can a poor man own like you !J:(递表)It's the third succession of my ancesters.A: Oh, what a reluctant give up!S:(抢过表，忽然两眼放光) Amm, it's a true gold watch. Wait for a moment.I'll ask my boss.S:Excuse me,boss.A young man want to sell this golden watch.B:Let me have a look.W:Oh!Oh, good guy! It's a true sense of gold watch!B:Yes,I should ask how much money does he want.B:How much do you want?J:(指着柜台内的一套发梳) I don't want any money. I, I just want the beautiful comb! W:You mean,the comb?(拿出发梳)You just want the comb?J:Yes, it is the very thing that my wife has wanted for a long time!A:His wife?Comb?S:(兴奋)Oh, look at it! What a nice comb!J:Yes, it is quite beautiful! It would be good enough to match my wife's golden yellow hair.But,do youwant to trade with me?B:(故做忧郁状) Let me see！J: I'm pleasant to exchange the gold watch for the comb. I know how my wife likes it! B:You're so whole-hearted that it's hard for me to refuse you!（递过发梳）J: Oh,thank you!(兴奋地接过发梳)Thank you!(兴奋地带着发梳下)W:(细看金表)Oh, good guy! It's a true sense of gold watch!(窃喜)No comb can be compared with it!A: He should not be a foolish man!But he is willing to change a gold watch for a comb!She must be ahappy wife!第三场人物：安琪（A），吉姆（J），德拉（D）MAGI JIM DELLA地点：吉姆和德拉的家德拉拿着镜子欣赏着自己的新发型A: What a poor woman,she looked wonderfully like a truant schoolboy.However,she is a happy wife,too.Her husband loves her so much.D:(对着镜子自言自语)If Jim doesn't kill me,before he takes a second look at me,he'll say I like a chorus girlof Coney Island.But I have no choice.Oh!What can I do with one dollar and eighty-seven cents?Please God,let Jim still consider that I'm still pretty .D:I don't know whether he'll continue love me.吉姆进门，愣住，用奇怪的眼神打量德拉J：Della?D: Jim, darling. Don't look at me in this way.I had my hair cut and sold, because I can't forgive me if I werenot give a presant to you.You won't care about it, will you?You know,my hair grows very fast. Say "MerryChristmas", Jim! And let's happy as usual. You don't know what a nice , what a beautiful gift I've boughtfor you.J:(似乎没反应过来，吃力地) You've cut your hair?D:Cut and sold .(握住吉姆的手)You will love me forever no matter what hapens, is it right？Without myhair, I am the same. Don't you think so？J:(用近乎白痴的眼神，四下张望着屋子，似乎在寻找着什么)You mean that your hair has gone?D:You need't look for it.I'd sold it.I tell you,cut and sold. Tonight is Chirstmas Eve, Jim. I sold my hairwas all for you. My hair are countable,but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put thechops on, Jim？吉姆从恍惚中清醒过来，拥住德拉A: Oh,look at the shabby house,which costs eight dollars,or one millon room charge a year,There areno different.J: (吉姆从口袋掏出一包东西，扔到桌上) Don't make any mistakes about me, Della.I don't think there'sanything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.Butif you'll upwrap the package,you may realize why you had me going while at first. 德拉敏捷地打开盒子，一阵狂喜，而后神经质地大笑了D:My hair grows so fast, Jim. Oh,oh! Isn't it a danndy,Jim?（将盒子紧紧抱在怀中，掏出表链放到吉姆手中）I hunted all over town to find it. You can look at the time a hundred times a day now.Give me your watch,I want to see how it looks on it.J:(微笑)Della,let's put our Chirstmas presents away and keep them a while.They're too nice to use just atpresent. I sold the watch to get money to buy your combs. And now, suppose you put the chops on.A: Now that, it isn't necessary.For me,the angle of love, giving the gift to the happy couple.They give themost valuable and priceless gifts to each other. That is what I want to give -- Love!。

The GiftsThe Gifts Mon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents4人短剧.由欧·亨利的短篇小说麦琪的礼物改编.The GiftsMon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents . They have only 20 dollars a week, itdoesn’t leave much for saving.In fact, Della and Jim have two possessions in which they both take very great pride. One is Jim’s gold watch, which has been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other is Della’s long beautiful hair.D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents.D: I—- I—- I have to have my hair cut and sold it . In that way I can get some money and I can buy a beautiful present for Jim.(At the shop—“Madame Sofronie. We Buy Hair Goods of All Kinds”)D: Will you buy my hair?M: Yes, I buy all kinds of hair. Sit down, please. Take your hat off and let me have a look. Oh, very beautiful. Very good! Twenty dollars , OK?D: All right. But please give it to me quickly.M: Here you are. Twenty dollars.D: Thank you. Bye.M: Bye.Mon.：Della spent two hours in the streets. Then she stopped at a Gold Shop and bought a gold watch chain. Now ,Della is at home.D: Oh, what a beautiful gold watch chain. I think it must match Jim’s watch. When he sees it he must be very happy .(Suddenly the door opened and in came Jim . )J: You—–?D: Jim. 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, it will grow quickly. You don’t mind, do you ? I just had to do it. My ha ir grows very fast, you know. Say “Merry Christmas!” Jim, and let’sbe happy.J: You’ve cut off your hair?D: I’ve cut it off and sold it. It’s sold. I tell you -sold and gone, too. It’s Christmas Eve , Jim. Be good to me, for it went for you. J: Well , De lla. Don’t make any mistake about me. I don’t think there’s anything about a hair cut that could make me love you any less. I know, it went for me. Look at this package .D: What ?J: Look at it yourself. You ‘ll see.D:Ah! The combs. They were in the shop windows for many months! J:Yes, the beautiful combs, pure tortoiseshell, with jewelry rims–just the color to wear in your beautiful, hair.D: But , Jim. They are expensive combs. I know, my heart had longed for them without the least hope of possession. Now they are mine. Thank youJim.J; Now, you will see why I was upset at first.D: Jim, you don’t know what a nice –what a beautiful , nice gift I’vegot for you. Can you guess?J: I’m sorry. I won’t guess.D: Look. A gold watch chain. Isn’t it lovely ,Ji m? I hunted all over the town to find it. You’ll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it .J: Della, Let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money.And I bought the combs. Now, Let’s have our supper.The GiftsThe Gifts Mon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents4人短剧.由欧·亨利的短篇小说麦琪的礼物改编.The GiftsMon.：Tomorrow will be Christmas. But Della feels very sad. Because she has no money to buy a present for her husband , Jim . She has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents . They have only 20 dollars a week, it doesn’t leave much for saving.In fact, Della and Jim have two possessions in which they both take very great pride. One is Jim’s gold watch, which has been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other is Della’s long beautiful hair. D: Life is so hard for me. Though I saved the money for many months , I still have only one dollar and eighty seven cents. D: I—- I—- I have to have my hair cut and sold it . In that way I can get some money and I can buy a beautiful present for Jim.(At the shop—“Madame Sofronie. We Buy Hair Goods of All Kinds”)D: Will you buy my hair?M: Yes, I buy all kinds of hair. Sit down, please. Take your hat off and let me have a look. Oh, very beautiful. Very good! Twenty dollars , OK?D: All right. But please give it to me quickly.M: Here you are. Twenty dollars.D: Thank you. Bye.M: Bye.Mon.：Della spent two hours in the streets. Then she stopped at a Gold Shop and bought a gold watch chain. Now ,Della is at home.D: Oh, what a beautiful gold watch chain. I think it must match Jim’s watch. When he sees it he must be very happy . (Suddenly the door opened and in came Jim . )J: You—–?D: Jim. 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, it will grow quickly. You don’t mind, do you ? I just had to do it. My hair grows very fast, you know. Say “Merry Christmas!” Jim, and let’s be happy.J: You’ve cut off your hair?D: I’ve cut it off and sold it. It’s sold. I tell y ou -sold and gone, too. It’s Christmas Eve , Jim. Be good to me, for it went for you.J: Well , Della. Don’t make any mistake about me. I don’t think there’s anything about a hair cut that could make me love you any less. I know, it went for me. Look at this package . D: What ?J: Look at it yourself. You ‘ll see.D:Ah! The combs. They were in the shop windows for many months!J:Yes, the beautiful combs, pure tortoiseshell, with jewelry rims–just the color to wear in your beautiful, hair.D: But , Jim. They are expensive combs. I know, my heart had longed for them without the least hope of possession. Now they are mine. Thank you Jim.J; Now, you will see why I was upset at first.D: Jim, you don’t know what a nice –what a beautiful , nice gift I’ve got for you. Can you guess?J: I’m sorry. I won’t guess.D: Look. A gold watch chain. Isn’t it lovely ,Jim? I hunted all over the town to find it. You’ll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it .J: Della, Let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money. And I bought the combs. Now, Let’s have our supper..。

麦琪的礼物英文版 The Gift of the MagiOne 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. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young."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, 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. Which is all very good.Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twentydollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pierglass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art.Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.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 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.So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the "Sofronie.""Will you buy my hair?" asked Della."I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it."Down rippled the brown cascade."Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand. "Give it to me quick," said Della.Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present.She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task. Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically."If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?" At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit of saying a little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please God, make him think I am still pretty."The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdenedwith a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves. Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.Della wriggled off the table and went for him."Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy. You don't know what a nice--what a beautiful, nice gift I've got for you.""You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor."Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?"Jim looked about the room curiously."You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy. "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you--sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?"Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on. Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table."Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first."White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!" And then Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!" Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit."Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled."Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on." 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.End一个美元和八十七美分。