The answer, however, will depend on your worldview and personal opinion. If you find Vera's actions compelling, you may come to the conclusion that her practical joke is merely humorous. If, however, you find yourself sympathizing with Framton Nuttel, you may decide Vera's practical joke is cruel and inconsiderate.
In the story, Vera entertains herself at Framton Nuttel's expense. To Vera, Framton's naivety and hypochondriac tendencies are fair game to be exploited for her amusement. Framton is one of those individuals who labors "under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail" of one's "ailments and infirmities." As a character, Framton may come across as presumptuous and sanctimonious. This may be one of the reasons Vera decides to play a practical joke on him.
At the same time, in her bid to be entertained, Vera appears to ignore Framton's feelings. She lacks empathy for her guest and is unrepentant about her actions. After Framton's hasty retreat, she concocts another tall tale to explain away Framton's apparently strange actions. She is not sorry for the grief she causes her aunt's guest.
In Framton's estimation, Vera's story is an unnerving one, and when he spies the men, he becomes totally horror-stricken. It never enters his mind that Vera might have made up the whole affair about the men's premature deaths. He is too frightened to think coherently about the whole matter, and this is why he feels compelled to leave immediately.
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