“The Open Window” by Hector Hugh Munro, known as Saki, is a satirical short story that critiques Edwardian society through a layered narrative. The story begins with Framton Nuttel, a nervous man seeking a cure for his anxiety, who visits Mrs. Sappleton's home. While waiting for his hostess, he is entertained by her niece, Vera, who tells him a tragic tale about Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and brothers who vanished three years earlier during a hunting trip, allegedly lost to a bog. Vera explains that her aunt keeps the window open, believing they will return. When Mrs. Sappleton enters and mentions the open window, Framton becomes increasingly anxious. Suddenly, he sees three figures returning and, in a panic, flees the house, believing them to be ghosts. In the end, it is revealed that the hunting party is very much alive, and Vera, the niece, crafts a story to explain Framton's abrupt departure. The twist highlights themes of appearance versus reality and the absurdity of social conventions, culminating in the humorous conclusion that “Romance at short notice was her specialty.”

свернуть