In this excerpt from H. H. Munro’s "The Open Window," which line is an example of direct characterization?
"Here we are, my dear," said the bearer of the white mackintosh, coming in through the window; "fairly muddy, but most of it’s dry. Who was that who bolted out as we came up?"
"A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel," said Mrs. Sappleton; "could only talk about his illnesses, and dashed off without a word of good-bye or apology when you arrived. One would think he had seen a ghost."
"I expect it was the spaniel," said the niece calmly; "he told me he had a horror of dogs. 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."
Romance at short notice was her specialty
Answers
So what do I do here the didn't understand
The last line of the extract, 'Romance at short notice was her speciality' is an example of direct characterisation. In direct characterisation, the author clearly states a personality trait of a character. Here, H.H. Munro is clearly stating that Vera's talent lay in her ability to make things romantic (exciting) on the spur of the moment. So, the author is openly telling the audience that Vera is a quick-thinking, creative girl who enjoys using her storytelling abilities to add suspense and excitement to a boring situation. The readers do not have to think over her actions and then arrive at a conclusion. The information is already there.
Mrs. Sappleton's observations of Mr. Nuttel are part of indirect characterisation, because his character is being described through another character, and not the readers need to draw conclusions.