What are the tones in "The Open Window" by Saki?

The
overall tone is playful and humorous. It is clear quite early on that the author does not have
much regard for poor old Framton Nuttal. 's point of view is reflected in the character of Vera.
She is a very bright, perceptive, young lady, and she is rather mischievous. When she meets
Framton, all nervous and fidgety, she immediately senses an irresistible opportunity for a good
old-fashioned leg-pull. Somehow, she manages to keep up the pretense of her ghost story, even
affecting a look of pure horror as the three men approach the house in the enveloping twilight.
It would seem that she is something of an expert at this. We are vindicated in this assessment
by the elaborate story she concocts on the spot regarding the recently vanished
Framton:

He was once hunted into a cemetery somewhere on
the banks of the Ganges by a pack of pariah dogs, and had to spend the night in a newly dug
grave with the creatures snarling and grinning and foaming just above him. Enough to make anyone
lose their nerve.

If Vera represents Saki, then we are
placed in the same invidious position as the hapless Framton Nuttal. Vera appears to engage in
seemingly banal pleasantries with Framton, but in reality, she is carefully feeling him out,
trying to see whether or not he is likely to fall for her joke. As readers, we are also suckered
into playing along with Vera's little parlor game, fooled as we are by her demure
gentility.

Romance at short notice was her
speciality.

Yes, and much the same could be said for the
author of "." We may not suddenly run away like poor old Framton Nuttal, but, like
him, we have been well and truly duped by the mischievous Vera.