The setting at the beginning of the story is taking place on a cold, wet, night in Laburnam Villa. They were sitting by the fire with a son, father, mother, and Morris. This description sets a creepy mood for the story due to the fact that it is a cold, wet, night. The author includes these details to give reader some information so that the reader isn't lost. In addition the author also does this to create more of like suspense and so the reader can imagine where the story is taking place. The author tries to portray a gloomy mood.