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In "The Open Window," what is it about Mrs. Sappleton’s niece that causes Framton additional distress?

In short, Vera (Mrs. Sappleton's niece) causes Framton Nuttel additional distress by telling a story that causes "mental excitement." This is exactly the stress poor Framton Nuttel is trying to avoid. He has moved to the country in order to calm his "nervous condition" and is trying to introduce himself to the neighbors without much incident.


Unfortunately for Framton Nuttel, Mrs. Sappleton's neice is the first person he comes in contact with in the neighboring household. Vera is a mischievous liar with a full imagination. As soon as she meets Framton Nuttel and is asked to "entertain" him for a bit, Vera makes up a story about the open window in the house.  


The tall tale concerns Mrs. Sappleton being a "widow" who lost her husband and his brothers in a hunting accident. According to Vera's story, the window stays eternally open in case the men come back someday. The story is a lie. Mr. Sappleton is on a hunting trip at that very moment and returns through the open window. A thoroughly distraught Framton Nuttel runs from the household in fear.

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