Write a brief character sketch on Mrs Sappleton (Vera's Aunt) in "The Open Window."

's ironic wit
is at its best in his short story, "" as the precocious niece Vera who cleverly
fabricates a tale around the truth of Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brothers' disappearance tht
terrifies the guest, Framton Nuttel, also suggests some things about her aunt.  While Vera
depicts her aunt as delusional--"Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back some
day"--she does reveal some truth about Mrs. Sappleton: she is fastidious.  For, the window
is open because Mrs. Sappleton has never wanted the hunters to traipse across her
carpets. 

As Vera is in the middle of her tale, Mrs. Sappleton "bustled
into the room" offering "a whirl of apologies" for her tardiness in coming down
to greet Mr. Nuttel. She then apolgizes for the open window, explaining that it serves to retain
her "poor carpets."  Then, she expresses a gender bias, though not meant to give
offense:  "So like you menfolk, isn't it?"  Without noticing Framton Nuttel's
horrified reaction, Mrs. Sappleton "rattled on cheerfully" on topics relative to the
men's hunting. As she speaks, Mrs. Sappleton eyes flit to the window and the lawn beyond it.  As
Framton decides to discuss his ailments, Mrs. Sappleton is barely able to stifle a yawn of
boredom which is instantly relieved when she spots the hunters returning.  One of the men,
having neared the window, is heard calling to the dog not to run so.  Hearing this ghost speak,
Framton Nuttel flees in terror.

All that Mrs. Sappleton can do is remark on
how extraordinary Nuttel is.  She is appalled at his talk of illnesses and then his
"dashing off" so rudely.  "One would think he had seen a ghost."  Vera
explains to her that Nuttel fears dogs because he was once hunted by a "pack of pariah
dogs."

Obviously, Vera is far more clever than Mrs. Sappleton, who seems
to live her life in a fairly confining fashion, absorbed in what occurs with her immediate
family only.  For, she is in no hurry to meet Framton Nuttel and simply appears out of some
sense of obligation and civility.  She is fairly myopic, as well, as she does not observe any of
the dynamics between Vera and Framton before she sits down.  Nor does she ask Framton anything
about himself; instead she "rattles on cheerfully" about her family that is out
hunting.  When Framton flees, she demonstrates no real concern for him then, either, as she does
not call him back, but only remarks upon what an odd man he is.