What tone do the words flop shabby and cry set in O The Gift of Magi There was clearly nothing to but down on little couch howl So Della did it?

The words "flop," "shabby," and "cry" in O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" create a tone of sorrow and despair. Della, the protagonist, is faced with the dilemma of not having enough money to buy her husband Jim a Christmas present so her only option is to sell her prized possession , her hair and hopes that he liked the gift when Christmas arrived .