Describe the atmosphere in the story.

On a cold and rainy night, Mr. White and his son play chess in their warm parlor while Mrs. White knits comfortably. As they play, Mr. White complains that their villa is too far away from the town and it is difficult to travel there. He is expecting a guest, but the road is bad. What adds to his annoyance is that he loses the game to his son.

Outside, the night was cold and wet, but in the small living room the curtains were closed and the fire burned brightly.

“That’s the worst of living so far out,” cried Mr. White with sudden and unexpected violence; “Of
all the awful out of the way places to live in, this is the worst. Can’t walk on the footpath without
getting stuck in the mud, and the road’s a river. I don’t know what the people are thinking about. I
suppose they think it doesn’t matter because only two houses in the road have people in them.”