June 28
The reward of a right action is to have done it.
Letters to Lucilius, Letter 81
Combs and Chain
The reward of a right action is to have done it.
Della didn't have enough money for Jim's Christmas present. She had her long hair cut off and sold it. With the money she found a plain chain for his pocket watch, which until then he had worn on an old leather strap.
When Jim came home, he stopped dead at the sight of her cropped hair. Della hurriedly explained that it would grow back. He took her in his arms and gave her his package. Inside lay the ornamental combs she had so often gazed at in the shop window.
Della held the combs close. Then she showed him the chain and asked for his watch. Jim sat down on the sofa and smiled. He had sold the watch to pay for the combs. They should put the presents away for a while, he said. Now she could fry the chops.
