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In "A Pair of Silk Stockings," what did Mrs. Sommers originally plan to do with the money?

The narrator clearly states at the beginning of the story that Mrs. Sommers "did not wish to act hastily, to do anything she might afterward regret." She takes a few days to consider where best to spend the $15 she possesses, with no mention of where that money comes from. In the middle of the night, she decides:



A dollar or two should be added to the price usually paid for Janie’s shoes. . . She would buy so and so many yards of percale for new shirt waists for the boys and Janie and Mag. . . Mag should have another gown. . . And still there would be left enough for new stockings. . . She would get caps for the boys and sailor-hats for the girls.



One notices from the beginning that this woman initially spends most of the money on her children, mostly to outfit them so they will look quite respectable about town. The silk stockings, a reference to the title of the story, seem to be an after-thought, something she will only purchase if there is money left. Even then, she later adds one more thing to the list, suggesting the stockings will not be purchased after all.

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