In The open window we see Mr. Nuttel being a very antisocial person.

He doesn't really like

talking to people and keeps to himself. He is very delicate, has a lot pof sickness, and after what
we read, I believe he is very easily fooled. Mr. Nuttel gave Vera enough information about
himself to make a very funny joke. Having him not knowing anyone in the place was perfect for
her to make a silly joke. Vera seems like the kind of kid that likes fooling around, likes to scare
people, reads a lot of mystery/scary books. Vera decides to tell Nuttel that her part of her family
is dead, to me making this story up with such detail, knowing what would make him be scared is
a very intelligent thing to do.