Deachman, Grant "The Last Present."

This sentimental World War 2 tale that seems to comment on the old adage "all's fair in love and war." In Deachman's extremely "short story" the arrival of an English child evacuee (a 4-year old little girl) aboard a children-packed steamship sets in motion a marital reconciliation. The story appears to be set in New York City where the child's expatriate aunt (Kaye Braddock) is on the verge of signing final divorce papers with her estranged husband (Tim Braddock) when a letter from her sister Nora in England arrives announcing the imminent arrival of little niece Joan. Nora's letter, several weeks in transit and marked approved by British wartime censors, is vague as to when the ship will actually arrive, so after Kaye reads the letter and then notices in the newspaper that a ship - which had narrowly escaped being torpedoed - with 800 English children evacuees is arriving that very day, she realizes that she needs her husband now more than ever to cope with this new development. (She also realizes that she still loves him). Swallowing her pride, she calls him on the telephone with the news and he readily agrees to accompany her to the docks to fetch Joan, and also to return home with her. What Kaye doesn't know is that her husband had actually been in contact with his English in-laws and had suggested to Nora that she delay in informing Kaye that Joan was on her way - his underhanded way of getting the reconciliation ball rolling since he knew how much his wife counted on him for emotional support. Indeed, Tim had received a telegram from Nora once little Joan was at sea, thus knowing her approximate arrival date.