Read this characterization of Della from "The Gift of the Magi." Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. The phrase "she turned white for just a moment” is mainly used to show that Della

Della has just cut and sold her beautiful hair, and Jim is about to come home and see the change. Turning white for a moment suggests a sudden feeling of fear or anxiety, not an illness, her usual skin color, or anger. The phrase mainly shows that Della is afraid of Jim’s reaction.

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