The Thing on the Doorstep

"The Thing on the Doorstep" is a horror short story by American writer H. P. Lovecraft, part of the Cthulhu Mythos universe. It was written in August 1933, and first published in the January 1937 issue of Weird Tales. Daniel Upton, the story's narrator, explains that he has killed his best friend, Edward Derby, and that he hopes his account will prove that he is not a murderer. He begins by describing Derby's life and career. He then tells of Asenath Waite, a female classmate of Derby's at Miskatonic University, and how the two had wed. Asenath brings with her three unpleasant servants from her home in Innsmouth, Massachusetts.