In O. Henry’s The Purple Dress, two young store clerks have been saving money all year to buy new dresses for the annual Thanksgiving gala dinner given by their employer. Both women are hoping to catch the attention of the handsome Mr. Ramsay, a manager of the store and eligible bachelor. When Grace can’t make her rent money after buying her dress, Maida loans her the money but skips the party. A classic story of karma during the holidays.