Throughout the narration of "The Open Window," Framton Nuttel is depicted as silly and rather pathetic in his efforts to endeavor to "duly flatter" one person while not "unduly discounting" another who is yet to appear, as well as in his terrified reactions to the fabricated tale of Vera.
Anxious and nervous as he talks with Mrs. Sappleton's niece, Framton Nuttel wonders whether Mrs. Sappleton will be "in the nice division." Further, he questions to himself whether or not this visit to the Sappleton's in the country will help him with his "nerve cure" which he is supposed to be experiencing. Clearly, in this part of the story, Framton seems more the child than Vera, the niece of Mrs. Sappleton, who has been sent into the room to talk with him until she is ready.
After Vera begins her narration of the supposedly tragic events that have occurred in the Sappleton family, she then breaks off "with a little shudder." Framton feels relief seeing Mrs. Sappleton finally enter the room. As she "rattles on" cheerfully, Framton relaxes. Believing that
...total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure
the nervous little man unloads his medical history to the uneasiness and boredom of his listeners. When Mrs. Sappleton gladly announces that the men have returned from their outing, unaware of the tale Vera has concocted, Framton shivers and feels "a shock of nameless fear." He quickly grabs his stick and hat and makes a "headlong retreat" across the hall, the gravel drive, and even the front gate. "A cyclist coming along...had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision."
Framton Nuttel is a pathetic character; he is so tremulous that he cannot relax. Then, when Vera plays her practical joke upon him, he flees in terror.
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