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2. ”A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel,” said Mrs. Sappleton; “could only talk
about his illnesses, and dashed off without a word of goodbye or apology
when you arrived.
(a) How does Mrs. Sappleton describe Mr. Nuttel’s behavior during his visit?

(b) What impression does Mr. Nuttel leave on Mrs. Sappleton due to his
actions?

Listening Well Listening for understanding

E. Listen to the details provided by Vera in the story about the “Open
Window” and answer the questions that follow.

“Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two
young brothers went off for their day’s shooting. They never came back. In cross-
ing the moor to their favourite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed
in a treacherous piece of bog. It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know,
and places that were safe in other years gave way suddenly without warning. Their
bodies were never recovered. That was the dreadful part of it.” Here the child’s
voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human. “Poor aunt always
thinks that they will come back someday, they and the little brown spaniel that
was lost with them, and walk in at that window just as they used to do. That is
why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk.

1. What happened to Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and two brothers three years
ago?

2. How did they meet their fate while they were out shooting?
3. Why does Mrs. Sappleton’s aunt keep the window open every evening?

4. What does the niece suggest about her aunt’s hope regarding the return of
her husband and brothers?

5. How does the niece’s tone change as she talks about her aunt’s belief?

Fun with Grammar Literacy Skills

F. Monologue: A monologue is a speech or extended discourse by a single character

in a play, story, or performance. It’s typically directed towards other characters or

the audience and serves to reveal the character’s thoughts, feelings, and motiva-

tions.

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