The open window | Summary | English | BICTE | B.ed | Bachelor

 

The open window

This is a story by Saki (H.H. Munro). In this story a very young lady of 15 (named Vera) plays an amusing trick on a chance visitor to her aunt’s house. According to the story, Mr. Nuttel had to migrate to the rural place for rest to solve problem of the nerve because doctors had told him to have complete rest. His sister suggested him to go to the place from where she had come. She also promised to give him a letter of introduction to all the nice people there. According to the same suggestion, Mr Nuttel went there taking the letters of introduction. First of all he had to meet Mrs. Sappleton there in a new place. So, he went towards the new place. When he reached there with the letter, he meets a self-possessed young girl of 15. She was the niece of Mrs. Sappleton. She tricks him and tells a story of Mrs. Sappleton herself when he waits.

According to her information, three years ago a great tragedy happened to the Sappleton family. Indicating a large French window that opened to a lawn, she said that three years ago, Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two young brothers went off for their day’s shooting. Unfortunately, they never came back. In crossing an open area they were surrounded by a treacherous piece of bog. Their bodies were never recovered. So, the Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back some day and walk in at that window. That is why the window is kept open every evening. She also said that the poor aunt’s husband was with waterproof coat over his arm and Ronnie (her younger brother) would sing song.

At the same time Mrs. Sappleton comes down and says that her husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting. She also says that her husband and two brothers are coming from shooting. Suddenly, Mrs. Sappleton brightens. Nuttel looks at Vera and sees a shocked look on her face. She was looking as if she has seen the ghosts. This makes Nuttel worried. He only saw dead hunters coming to the house. He becomes frightened and leaves that house in rush without saying good bye to the newly introduced people. Mrs Sappeton does not understand Nuttel’s such a strange behavior. However, Vera explains he is afraid of dogs. In fact, Vera tricked Mr. Nuttel. ‘Romancer at short notice was her specialty’.

Questions 

1.When did Mrs Sappleton tragedy happen and how?

Mrs Sappleton tragedy happened three years ago. As Vera informed, Husband and two younger brother of Mrs Sappleton went for hunting but they had never returned. They might have been engulfed by swampy soil in the hunting area.

2. What did the doctors agree about Framton?

The doctor suggested Framton to spend in peaceful environment for his treatment of nervous disease.

3.What did Nuttel’s sister tell when he was preparing to migrate?

When he was preparing to migrate, his sister told him to stay in her neighbour’s house as she passed some years there. She gave address and necessary information to him for his convenience.

4.What has the window got to do with the tragedy?