The most appropriate response to the question about how the setting influences Mr. Nuttel’s expectations about the interaction he is about to have is:
He does not expect the visit among strangers to have much value.
This choice reflects Mr. Nuttel's doubts about the benefit of his visits, as indicated by his internal thoughts related to his sister's comments about burying himself and not speaking to anyone, leading him to question the value of these interactions for his nerve cure.