# Vanity and Some Sables explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Kid Brady leaves the Stovepipe Gang to work as a plumber for his girlfriend Molly McKeever. After eight months, he buys her an expensive set of Russian sables, which leads to a confrontation with Detective Ransom, who suspects the furs are stolen. A policeman reveals the furs are cheap imitations, and the misunderstanding is resolved, highlighting Kid's vanity and Molly's unconditional love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The sables appear to be expensive Russian furs but are actually cheap imitations, reflecting the theme of deceptive appearances.

### Social Class and Wealth

Kid's vanity drives him to buy luxury goods beyond his means, highlighting class aspirations and the value placed on material wealth.

### Love and Romance

Molly's love for Kid transcends material possessions, as she accepts him despite the deception about the furs.

## Character check-ins

### Kid Brady

Former Stovepipe Gang member who quits crime for Molly, works as a plumber, and buys her sables out of vanity.

### Molly McKeever

Kid's girlfriend, whose love and influence inspire him to go straight; she is initially proud of the sables but later values Kid over material goods.

### Ransom

Detective who suspects the sables are stolen and confronts Kid, but later releases him when the theft report is corrected.

### Policeman Kohen

Officer who identifies the sables as cheap imitations and clears up the misunderstanding.

## Key lines

> Dey're out rubberin' at a set of buffalo robes Kid Brady staked his girl to

They're all gawking at the buffalo fur coat Kid Brady gave his girlfriend.

_A bystander's comment reflects the neighborhood's fascination with Kid's gift._

> I'd rather have got six months and not have told it. Me, the swell guy that wouldn't look at anything cheap! I'm a plain bluffer.

I'd prefer a six-month jail sentence over admitting the truth. I, who prides himself on only buying expensive things, am just a fraud.

_Kid's humiliation when the cheapness of the furs is exposed reveals his vanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/vanity-and-some-sables
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters