The Four Million
The Four Million, published in 1906, was O. Henry's second collection and the one that made his name. The title answers a society columnist's claim that only four hundred people in New York mattered: these twenty-five stories are about clerks, shopgirls, boarding-house tenants, tramps and policemen. "The Gift of the Magi," in which a poor young couple sell their treasures to buy each other Christmas presents, is here, along with "The Cop and the Anthem," "The Furnished Room," "The Skylight Room," "An Unfinished Story" and "Mammon and the Archer." Each turns on a last-paragraph reversal, and the voice is wry, generous and fond of the city. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first story is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Four Million
The Four Million by O. Henry can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Four Million online?
Yes. The Four Million opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Four Million free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Four Million is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Four Million in the public domain?
Yes. The Four Million by O. Henry is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Four Million?
About 3 h 28 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Four Million?
The Four Million by O. Henry is filed under "Short Stories" in the Vinteuil library.
