In sections 29-30 of "the gift of the magi," jim is shown as a foil for della in the way he reacts to the situation, namely,
a. jim wishes della hadn't cut her hair while della is glad she cut it.
b. jim is calm and controlled, even when troubled; della is flighty and emotional.
c. jim doesn't like short hair, while della does.

most likely the answer would be a.) cupidity

definitions:

cupidity - greed for money or possessions

hydrophobia - extreme or irrational fear of water, especially as a symptom of rabies in humans

pathology - the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic

patho -   relating to disease

is this the question?