Three at Table The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 12.

"Three at Table" by W. W. Jacobs is a suspenseful and eerie short story about isolation and fear. A lost traveler stumbles upon an isolated couple's home in a dense fog, seeking shelter from the unknown, when a dark dinner unfolds with them and their disfigured son, who is concealed in the shadows. Initial fear transforms to understanding as the traveler learns the son's tragic fire accident and secluded existence. The eerie atmosphere evolves unexpectedly into warmth and celebration as the table becomes a place of solace and acceptance, celebrating a birthday and highlighting the hidden struggles beneath outward appearances.