Answer: The statement "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" offers the best analysis of the central ideas.
Explanation: In the second paragraph, it is stated that Mr. Nuttel is on the recovery process of his altered nerves. He believes in the manipulative niece's story about how her aunt went crazy thinking that her husband and her two young brothers would come through the window one day. When the aunt comes downstairs and welcomes the men that suddenly climb through the window, Mr. Nuttel runs away in panic, due to the fragile mental state that led him to believe in Vera's fictional story.