The Open Window and Other Stories

"My aunt will come down in a few minutes, Mr. Nuttel," said a very calm young lady of fifteen. "Until then, you must try to put up with me."

Framton Nuttel tried to say something polite. He wanted to be nice to the niece, but also to the aunt who was coming. But inside he was not happy. He did not believe that these visits to strangers would help him very much.

Framton was ill. His nerves were bad, and his doctors told him to rest in the country. So he came to stay in this quiet village for a few weeks.

"I know what will happen," his sister said before he left. "You will hide in your house and not speak to anyone. And your nerves will be worse than ever. So I will give you letters to some people I know there. Some of them were quite nice."