The Open Window

The Open Window Summary | Detailed Summary

Framton Nuttel has been sent to a small country town in England to recover from some type of nervous condition. Framton's doctors have told him to avoid any "mental excitement" or "violent physical exercise." He is to take a "complete rest." Framton's sister has provided Framton with letters of introduction to people she met when she had visited the same town, four years before. The sister provided the letters to counter what she knows is Framton's tendency to hide from everyone and mope. Framton is leery of meeting strangers, but has decided to venture out on a formal visit to Mrs. Sappleton, hoping that she would be one of the people his sister had remembered as being "quite nice."

When he arrives at Mrs. Sappleton's house, he finds that she is not immediately available, so he is received by her 15-year-old niece, Vera. Vera is a very confident young lady, and rather than putting Framton at ease, her manner flusters and disconcerts him, magnifying his natural tendency toward social awkwardness.

Making small talk, Vera asks him if he knows many people in the area. Framton replies that he knows no one and explains about his sister and the letters of introduction. When Vera discovers that he knows almost nothing about Mrs. Sappleton, she proceeds to tell him the tale, of what she calls, her aunt's "great tragedy."

Vera calls Framton's attention to the large, French window in the room, which is open despite the fact that it is October. Framton comments that the afternoon is quite warm for autumn, and then asks if the window has something to do with her aunt's tragedy. Vera relates that it was exactly three years ago that her aunt's husband and two brothers went hunting for snipe. They left through that very window, but they never returned, having been swallowed up by a wetter than usual section of the bog. Their little dog was lost with them. While she tells the tale, Vera becomes less self-possessed, and her voice takes on a faltering quality. She confides to Framton that her aunt believes that the men will return one day, that they and their spaniel will simply walk across the lawn and enter the house the way they left, through the open window. Vera explains that this is why the window is kept open every evening until dark; her aunt expects her husband to return, carrying his coat, and accompanied by her brothers, one of whom will be singing his customary tune when they return from the day's shooting. Vera confides, with a shudder, that she gets a "creepy feeling" on evenings such as this. When it is quiet and still, even she half expects the men to return.

Just when she finishes her story, Mrs. Sappleton enters the room, apologizing to Framton for being late in her arrival and hoping Vera has kept him good company. Mrs. Sappleton says she hopes the open window does not bother Framton. Mrs. Sappleton cheerfully explains to him that her husband and brothers have gone snipe-shooting and always come back through that window, tracking mud all over her carpets. Mrs. Sappleton then continues talking about hunting, and how the birds are scarce, and wondering whether there will be duck in the coming winter. Framton finds her comments and the discussion about hunting "horrible" after what Vera has told him. Framton also finds it disconcerting that Mrs. Sappleton's eyes continually look past him to the open window and the lawn outside, giving him only a small part of her attention when he attempts to change the subject. Framton thinks it is unfortunate he has come to visit on the very anniversary of the men's disappearance.

While trying to change the subject, Framton blurts out to Mrs. Sappleton, under the mistaken impression she will be interested in the specifics of his ailments, that his doctors ordered him to take a complete rest, to avoid any type of mental stress, or any excessive physical exercise. Framton finishes by noting his doctors were not in agreement about what type of diet would be best for him. Mrs. Sappleton finds his conversation boring. Mrs. Sappleton suppresses a yawn, but then she suddenly becomes alert and announces that the men have arrived, at last, and just in time for tea.

Framton shivers and looks to the niece, Vera, hoping that he conveys the appropriate note of sympathy for her aunt's obvious delusion. Instead, he sees that Vera is staring through the open window with a look of horror on her face. Framton turns to follow her gaze and sees, coming across the lawn in the darkening light, three figures, one who has a coat hanging over his shoulders, accompanied by a tired spaniel that is struggling to keep up with them. Framton hears a man singing while the figures approach the house.

Framton grabs for his hat and walking stick and races out of the house without saying goodbye. Framton runs down the drive and through the front gate, without a memory of passing any of these things, and nearly collides with a bicyclist when he enters the roadway.

Back at the house, Mr. Sappleton, carrying his coat over his arm when he enters the room through the open window, announces the men's arrival to his wife and niece. Mr. Sappleton asks her about the man who just ran out of the room when they approached.

Mrs. Sappleton describes Framton Nuttel to her husband as a boring visitor who could only talk about his illnesses and who rushed off without even saying goodbye or apologizing. Mrs. Sappleton remarks it was as though he had seen a ghost.

Vera speculates to the family that it was the appearance of the spaniel that probably sent Mr. Nuttel rushing away. Vera says Mr. Framton had told her he was afraid of dogs. Mr. Framton's fear stemmed from a time he was chased into a cemetery on the banks of the Ganges River by a pack of wild dogs; he was forced to spend the night in a newly dug grave, with the dogs snarling above him. Vera comments that this would be enough to make anyone afraid.

Vera is very adept at telling stories.