Mr. Bramble was a professional boxer and had been proud of his fame but ever since Harold was born, he had kept this a secret. Harold was told that his father was a commercial traveller. Mr. Bramble, who had thrived on his feats in the boxing ring, trembled to see his name in print now. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bramble were secretly a little afraid of their son and did not wish to fall in his esteem. So they took great care that Harold did not know his father's profession otherwise they felt that he would die of shame.