Question

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

has very fair skin.
is afraid of Jim’s reaction.
is beginning to get an illness.
had become extremely angry.

Answer 1

is afraid of Jim’s reaction.

Explanation: "Turned white" here means she went pale with fear or shock — she’s nervous about how Jim will react to her short hair/because she has sold it to buy his gift. It does not refer to skin tone, illness, or anger.