The story is intentionally funny, but there is a serious message. It is that we shouldn't try to impose our problems on other people, especially on strangers. Other people have plenty of problems of their own. When it comes to health problems, we can't expect other people to offer us medical or psychiatric advice. The best they can do is suggest that we consult a professional. In Framton's case it appears that he has already been consulting doctors in the city, so he can hardly expect to get worthwhile advice from a family of strangers like the Sappletons. Saki points this out in a direct comment in the story and in his description of Mrs. Sappleton's behavior.
"The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise," announced Framton, who laboured under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. "On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement," he continued.
"No?" said Mrs. Sappleton, in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the last moment.
Does Framton seem to be fishing for an invitation to stay for dinner when he indicates that, as far as his doctors are concerned, he can eat just about anything.
Fifteen-year-old Vera not only finds their guest boring and not only shows no sympathy for his "nerves," but she is planning to give him a scare which will produce just the opposite of what his doctors recommended: complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise. The fact that we do not feel any sympathy for Framton, even when he goes flying out of the house and up the road, suggests that the author has no sympathy for such neurotic personalities either.
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