Réponse:
The narrator is afraid but conscious of what is happening.
she knows the purpose of such entering in a dwelling that late. She wishes she could have the ability to fly away and not be seen or heard by the assailants. Unfortunately, this is something she can't do. So, she is scared to make any move that will trigger the eye of the intruders.
what is unusual is that the narrator is self inflicted pain in order to overcome her fear. by doing that she is controlling all actions she might do because she is scared. she does not want to make any mistake that will probably cost her life.
the narrator's behavior is not so common but understandable. Indeed, in order for her to keep quiet and not let her emotions and fear control her action she bit herself to help her to think about something else. Her heart is beating fast and she is frightened. The intruders are really close to her, she can hear them coming inside the premises by the window.
She feels confused and do not really understand the meaning of such action from her husband.
