Reasons for Framton's Horror

1. Misunderstanding

Framton was horrified when Mrs. Sappleton told him about her husband and her brother because of a misunderstanding. Mrs. Sappleton's story about her husband and brother returning from a hunting trip led Framton to believe that they were ghosts. This misunderstanding caused Framton to be terrified, as he thought he was in the presence of spirits.

2. Framton's Vulnerability

Framton was already a nervous and anxious individual, which made him more susceptible to being frightened by Mrs. Sappleton's story. His vulnerability to fear and his overactive imagination amplified his horror at the thought of encountering ghosts in the Sappleton household.

3. Lack of Context

Mrs. Sappleton's casual mention of her husband and brother's return without providing any context or explanation further fueled Framton's horror. Without a clear understanding of the situation, Framton's imagination ran wild, leading him to believe in the supernatural and feel a sense of impending doom.

4. Framton's Reaction

Framton's horrified reaction to Mrs. Sappleton's story also stemmed from his unease in unfamiliar social situations. His discomfort and awkwardness in the presence of strangers, combined with his tendency to overthink and catastrophize, contributed to his extreme reaction to what was a simple misunderstanding.

In conclusion, Framton's horror at Mrs. Sappleton's mention of her husband and brother was a result of a combination of factors, including his vulnerability to fear, his active imagination, the lack of context provided, and his discomfort in social situations.