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5 The Open Window

I can read...
I can read...
This chapter is about a visitor named Framton Nuttel who encounters a
seemingly ordinary country house where the niece, Vera, spins a dramatic tale
about her aunt’s tragic past. This story sets the stage for a humorous and

surprising twist as the visitor’s reactions unfold.

‘‘My aunt will be down presently, Mr Nuttel,’’ said a very self-possessed young lady of
fifteen; ‘‘in the meantime you must try and put up with me.’’

Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter
the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come.

Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of
total strangers would do much towards helping the

nervecure which he was supposed to be undergoing.
‘‘I know how it will be,’’ his sister had said when he

was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; ‘‘You
will bury yourself down there and not speak to a

living soul, and your nerves will be worse than
ever from moping. I shall just give you letters

of introduction to all the people
I know there. Some of them, as

far as I can remember were quite
nice.’’

Framton wondered whether Mrs
Sappleton, the lady to whom he

was presenting one of the letters
of introduction came into the nice

division.
‘‘Do you know that many people

around here’’ ask the niece, when
she judges that they have had

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