Final answer:
Mildred is a character affected by her past, which has altered her behavior, suggesting psychological trauma or significant experiences she cannot share. Dr. Lakeby tries to scientifically explain the events though there's a hint of the supernatural, and Mildred's confession reveals a deep burden.
Step-by-step explanation:
The character Mildred in the passages provided is depicted as a woman profoundly impacted by unspecified past events, revealing a change in her demeanor and psychological state.
As the narrator recounts, Mildred, who usually had a flawless disposition, shows signs of irritation and a change in her behavior that puzzle those around her.
Despite the concern evidenced by the characters close to her, including the narrator and possibly Dr. Lakeby, the precise details of Mildred's experience and the extent to which it affects her remain elusive and wrapped in mystery, much like the house in Dare's Gift.
Dr. Lakeby attempts to present the events of the house scientifically rather than as supernatural, but the text hints at the possibility of him seeing visions, suggesting an openness to less tangible explanations.
Variability in her behavior, which at times swings from normal to abnormally psychological flashes, seems to point to a deeper undercurrent of past traumas or experiences that Mildred is not willing to share. Her cold confession in one passage hints at a burden she has been carrying, needing to reveal some critical information.