“Do you know many of the people round here?” asked the niece, when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion. “Hardly a soul,” said Framton. “My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here.” He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret. “Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?” pursued the self-possessed young lady. “Only her name and address,” admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitation. “Her great tragedy happened just three years ago,” said the child; “that would be since your sister’s time.” “Her tragedy?” asked Framton; somehow in this restful country spot tragedies seemed out of place.

Question

Use the excerpt from the story “The Open Window” to answer the question. How does the room shape Nuttel’s assumptions about the strangers who live here?

A. He assumes Mrs. Sappleton must either be married or widowed.
B. He assumes Mrs. Sappleton will hold him to high standards.
C. He assumes the young lady has invented Mrs. Sappleton.
D. He assumes the young lady is trying to coax him to fall in love with her aunt.

Answer 1

A. He assumes Mrs. Sappleton must either be married or widowed.

In the excerpt, Nuttel reflects on whether Mrs. Sappleton is in the married or widowed state, which indicates that his assumptions about her are shaped by the environment of the room and his observations regarding its masculine habitation.