When Morris was asked about the monkey's paw, why did he dismiss the question 'offhandedly'?

Sergeant-Major Morris does not actually dismiss the question offhandedly but dismisses the importance of the monkey's paw in that offhand manner. He has served in India for over twenty years and has seen all kinds of supposedly magical tricks and heard about all kinds of other mysteries, miracles, and supernatural phenomena. He seems like a cynical and skeptical man who is disillusioned with life and in consequence has taken to drink.

"Offhandedly" means something like...

Sergeant-Major Morris does not actually dismiss the question offhandedly but dismisses the importance of the monkey's paw in that offhand manner. He has served in India for over twenty years and has seen all kinds of supposedly magical tricks and heard about all kinds of other mysteries, miracles, and supernatural phenomena. He seems like a cynical and skeptical man who is disillusioned with life and in consequence has taken to drink.

"Offhandedly" means something like "expressed without any preparation or forethought." It may not have been previously suggested, but there seems to be some possibility that Morris is putting on an act. He may have been planning to sell this shriveled monkey's paw to Mr. White ever since he was invited to his house for dinner. These men are not close friends. Mr. White reveals the nature of their relationship.

"Twenty-one years of it," said Mr. White, nodding at his wife and son. "When he went away he was a slip of a youth in the warehouse. Now look at him."

So the two men were only co-workers at a warehouse. Morris does not owe White any special consideration. He might have a whole pocket full of monkeys' paws which he is passing off in England in the same way. All his warnings and negative remarks about the talisman could be only what is called "reverse psychology," making people want to do something by telling them not to do it. This may sound far-fetched, but it is obviously Morris's negativity, including his tossing the paw into the fireplace, that makes Mr. White want to possess the thing. The way Morris consumes his host's whiskey shows that he is not unaccustomed to looking out for himself. He has had a lot of worldly experience and is a great deal more sophisticated than the Whites or their young son Herbert.

The author inserts a bit of dialogue to suggest why Morris hasn't already sold the paw.

"If you've had your three wishes, it's no good to you now, then, Morris," said the old man at last. "What do you keep it for?"

The soldier shook his head. "Fancy, I suppose," he said, slowly. "I did have some idea of selling it, but I don't think I will. It has caused enough mischief already. Besides, people won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale; some of them, and those who do think anything of it want to try it first and pay me afterward."

The story is told in such a way that the reader will never know whether the monkey's paw had supernatural powers or whether it was just a little paw that used to belong to one of India's hordes of wild monkeys.