How would you interpret the words ‘startled’ and ‘apologetic’ in the context?
How would you interpret the words ‘startled’ and ‘apologetic’ in the first sentence of the second passage?
As to the word ‘startled’, why do you think she looked startled?
I think she would have been expecting an experienced doctor and felt startled, maybe disappointed, when she saw the protagonist appearing at her door.
Do you agree? Or was it her daughter’s illness that made her startled?

As to the word ‘apologetic’, why do you think she looked apologetic?
I think she felt apologetic for her appearing startled before the doctor. Do you agree?
Or was it her daughter’s illness that made her feel apologetic, because she thought she hadn’t taken good care of her daughter?
Thanks. It’s from The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams.the context:
They were new patients to me, all I had was the name, Olson. Please come down as soon as you can, my daughter is very sick.

When I arrived I was met by the mother, a big startled looking woman, very clean and apologetic who merely said, Is this the doctor? and let me in. In the back, she added. You must excuse us, doctor, we have her in the kitchen where it is warm. It is very damp here sometimes.

Question

How would you interpret the words ‘startled’ and ‘apologetic’ in the context?
How would you interpret the words ‘startled’ and ‘apologetic’ in the first sentence of the second passage?
As to the word ‘startled’, why do you think she looked startled? 
I think she would have been expecting an experienced doctor and felt startled, maybe disappointed, when she saw the protagonist appearing at her door. 
Do you agree? Or was it her daughter’s illness that made her startled?

As to the word ‘apologetic’, why do you think she looked apologetic? 
I think she felt apologetic for her appearing startled before the doctor. Do you agree?
Or was it her daughter’s illness that made her feel apologetic, because she thought she hadn’t taken good care of her daughter?
Thanks. It’s from The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams.the context:
They were new patients to me, all I had was the name, Olson. Please come down as soon as you can, my daughter is very sick.

When I arrived I was met by the mother, a big startled looking woman, very clean and apologetic who merely said, Is this the doctor? and let me in. In the back, she added. You must excuse us, doctor, we have her in the kitchen where it is warm. It is very damp here sometimes.

Answer

It's hard to say. I don't read anything clear into it. She is "startled looking" but we can't really tell why.

I don't think it's because he's inexperienced. It might be social awkwardness. From what I've read, in those days the doctor might well be the only university-educated person in a small town; there's obviously a social gap between the doctor and the family. Notice that they are very deferential to the doctor. Even though they expected him to come, perhaps they're slightly surprised that he did.

I'm sure that I look slightly startled myself whenever a delivery service rings my doorbells with a package I have to sign for, even though I'm expecting it.

They are apologetic about everything--"you must excuse us for having her in the kitchen;" when the child misbehaves "both the mother and father almost turned themselves inside out in embarrassment and apology."

Answer

I think "startled looking" may describe her general demeanour. She is probably a woman of a generally nervous disposition who may well appear startled much of the time.

She is apologetic about the poor conditions in which the family lives. She tries hard to maintain respectability   - note that she is 'clean' - but is embarrassed by her poverty.