1. Name:___________________________________ Date:___________
The Open Window (p. 518)
Vocabulary Practice
1. Self-possessed _____
2. Endeavored _____
3. Unduly _____
4. Discounting _____
5. Migrate _____
6. Snipe _____
7. Treacherous _____
8. Falteringly _____
9. Delusion _____
10. Imminent _____
a. A false belief
b. A long-billed wading bird
c. To change location
d. Taking away from
e. Made an attempt
f. Poised; in command of oneself
g. Without need
h. With unsteadiness and stammering
i. About to occur
j. Not worthy of trust
Think It Through
1. Why do you think Vera tried to find out at the beginning of Mr. Nuttel’s visit how much he knew
about her aunt? What story did she tell him about her aunt?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Did you believe throughout most of the story that the aunt had mental problems? Why? At what
point did you figure out the truth?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Why did Mr. Nuttel leave in wild haste? How did Vera explain his strange departure?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. How did Mr. Nuttel’s nervous condition dd to the effectiveness of the story?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5. What do you think parents should do with children like Vera who specialize in “romance at short
notice”? How might Vera’s imagination have hurt both her aunt and Mr. Nuttel?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Write About It
Write as if you were Framton Nuttel, trying to tell about your horrible experience in a letter to your
sister.