Answer:
C. The conflict between appearance and reality is demonstrated by Mr. Nuttel's fragile mental state, leading him to believe Vera's manipulative fictional ghost story
Step-by-step explanation:
"The Open Window", by Hector Hugh Monroe tells the tale of a young girl named Vera who took delight in telling stories filled with lies just to have fun and enjoy the misery of her audience. She tried one of these lies with Mr. Nuttel a man who was in a weak mental state for he had a nervous breakdown. He was advised to rest at the house of Mrs. Sappleton but that was not to happen for Vera's lies about the men who had died and their perceived ghosts which Mr. Nuttel saw, made the poor man flee for his dear life.
The conflict between appearance and reality occurs when what is perceived to be real is indeed false. Mr. Nuttel's weak mental state made him susceptible to Vera's lies.