NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 4 Keeping It From Harold

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 4 Keeping It From Harold

Textbook Questions Solved

Question 1.
Before you read “Keeping It From, Harold”, the teacher will encourage you to answer or discuss the following:

  1. What are the different weight categories in Boxing ?
  2. Have you ever heard the song whose lyrics go like …. “He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee” ? Who does ‘he’ refer to ? He is also known as ‘The Greatest’ boxer of all time. What was his original name ? How many times did he win the World Heavyweight Belt ?
  3. Find out from your friend if he!she watches WWE and who is his/her favourite wrestler. Also find out why he/she likes this wrestler.
  4. Discuss with your friend as to why these wrestlers have such a large fan following. Has the perception of people changed over the century with respect to those who fight in the ring ?

Answer
1. The different weight categories in Boxing are the following :
1. Light Fly                46 to 48 kgs
2. Fly                         48 to 51 kgs
3. Bantam                 51 to 54 kgs
4. Feather                 54 to 57 kgs
5. Light                     57 to 60 kgs
6. Light Welter         60 to 63.5 kgs
7. Welter                  64 to 71 kgs
8. Middle                 71 to 75 kgs
9. Light Heavy         75 to 81 kgs
10. Heavy                81 to 91 kgs
11. Super Heavy     above 91 kgs

1. Yes, I have heard this song. It is all about the world Heavy Weight Champion in Boxing Cassius Clay alias Muhammad Ali.
His original name is Cassius Clay.
He won the World Heavyweight Belt three times.

2. I have talked about WWE with my friend. His favourite wrestler is ‘The Great Khali’. He is the first Indian who has made it to the Heavyweight Wrestling Entertainment after rising from humble roots. (His original name is Dalip Singh Rana. He hails from Himachal Pradesh in India).

4. For discussion with a friend. Some points relating to WWF and fan following are given below :
These wrestlers have a large fan following because of

  • natural instincts to see traditional games like boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, etc.
  • adventure, suspense and romance involved
  • excitement as to who will win
  • natural interest in sports
  • seeing body building display
  • wonder as to how such boxers and wrestlers maintain themselves fit and agile
  • sheer entertainment involved

5. The perception of people has changed over the century with respect to these fighters in the ring for better. It is more due to the fact that these world boxers have become the star celebrities. It has been because of their personal endeavours, honest means and beliefs in sports and games. In the modern times boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, etc, have attracted more and more people. Boxing as a game has reached the villages now. It is now coupled with body building. Millions of aspirants are now attracted to it all over the world.

Question 2.
Now read the story :
Answer
For students to read the story.

Question 3.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
(a) Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because ____

  1. she was the wife of a famous boxer.
  2. she had motivated her husband.
  3. she was a good housewife.
  4. she was the mother of a child prodigy.

(b) “The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part.” The writer’s tone here is ____

  1. admiring
  2. assertive
  3. satirical
  4. gentle.

(c) Harold had defied the laws of heredity by _____

  1. becoming a sportsperson.
  2. being good at academics.
  3. being well-built and muscular.
  4. respecting his parents.

(d) Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as _____

  1. they did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.
  2. his hero, Jimmy Murphy had not won the wrestling match.
  3. he had not got Phil Scott’s autograph.
  4. Sid Simpson had lost the Lonsdale belt.

Answer
(a) 4
(b) 3
(c) 2
(d) 1

Question 4.
Answer the following questions :

  1. What was strange about the manner in which Mrs. Bramble addressed her son ? What did he feel about it ?
  2. Why was it necessary to keep Harold’s father’s profession a secret from him ? [V. Imp.]
  3. When Mr. Bramble came to know that he was to become a father what were some of the names he decided upon ? Why ?
  4. Describe Mr. Bramble as he has been described in the story.
  5. Why was Mrs. Bramble upset when she came to hear that Bill had decided not to fight ?
  6. Who was Jerry Fisher ? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind ?
  7. How did Harold come to know that his father was a boxer ? (CBSE March 2012) [V. Imp.]
  8. Why was Harold upset that his father had not told him about his true identity ? Give two reasons.
    [V. Imp.]
  9. Do you agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him the fact that his father was a boxer ? Why / Why not ?

Answer.
1. Mrs. Bramble felt amazed that she should have brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world. He was so different from other children. He was a model of behaviour and hence admirable. She had never expected that being the wife of a professional boxer she would mother such a gifted child. So she took a special care for Harold. She treated him as ‘a baby’ still. However, she felt jarred at being addressed like that.

2. It was necessary because Bramble and his wife felt more than obliged to be the parents of a gifted child. Bramble was a professional boxer and he should have children with such traits. But Harold’s being a prodigy was something that caused some sort of complex in them. They were doting parents. So they took a great care that Harold shouldn’t know his father’s profession.

3. Bramble thought that if he had a boy, he would name him as John, after John L. Sullivan. If they had a girl, she should be named Marie, after Miss Marie Lloyd. These personalities were celebrated ones. So Bramble wanted to name his child after them.

4. Mr. Bramble has been described as the mildest and most obliging of men. He was persuasive, a thorough gentleman and a doting father. He has a sacrificing nature. He yielded to all due to his soft and genial nature. This is seen in his changing his decision of fighting the boxing bout. He had decided to give up earlier.

5. Mrs. Bramble got upset because that would mean no money. So she was more upset because of money. She told him that Bramble had borrowed enough money from her. She hoped that she would get that back after Bramble fought the boxing bout and won. This money would ensure a good start of Harold’s life.

6. Jerry Fisher was the trainer at the White Hart. He was training Bramble to fight his boxing bout next Monday. He did everything possible to convince Bill to change his mind. He was not afraid of anybody. He even told Harold about his being a professional
boxer. He compelled Bramble not to give up. When Bramble asserted his decision of giving up, Jerry Fisher’s eyes had tears in them.

7. Harold came to know that his father was a boxer from Fisher. Fisher told him that his father was a fighting man, known to all the heads as a “Young Porky’. Harold’s mother and his maternal uncle Percy Stokes didn’t want it.

8. Harold was upset that his father had not told him about his true identity. First, Bramble was a man of muscle power whereas Harold was a man of intellect. Harold was a prodigy. Bramble had developed a kind of inferiority complex. Secondly, he had lately been a practiser of shady deeds. These two reasons kept him from telling Harold of being a professional boxer.

9. I agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him this fact. Actually, Bramble was the mildest and most obliging of men. He had a sacrificing nature. Being such a man it was natural for him to prove his being a doting father. So whatever he did he did for the good of his son.

Question 5.
The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.

  1. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
  2. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
  3. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
  4. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
  5. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
  6. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
  7. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
  8. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
  9. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.

Answer
The proper sequence of events would be as follows :
9 → 5 → 8 → 1 → 7 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 6
9. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
↓
5. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
↓
8. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
↓
1. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
↓
7. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill has decided not to fight.
↓
4. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
↓
3. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.’
↓
2. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
↓
6. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.

Listening Task

Question 1.
The teacher will ask the students to answer these questions based on an interview given by the legendary WWE wrestler, Kane to Chris Carle of IGN. The students are to listen to the interview.

  1. What were the video games that Kane liked playing earlier and which games later ?
  2. Who was Kane’s favourite wrestler when he was first getting into wrestling and who were some of the other wrestlers who influenced him into taking up wrestling ?
  3. How according to Kane had the WWE changed in the past ten years ?
  4. Does Kane prefer performing with the mask or without the mask ?
  5. Why does Kane wrestle these days even though he has accomplished almost everything ?
  6. What is your impression of Kane as a person after you have heard this interview ?

Answer

  1. Kane liked playing Halo 2 and Ghost Recon earlier. Later he liked to play THQ’s Raw vs. Smachdown 2006.
  2. Hulk Hogan. There were others also who influenced hiin into taking up wrestling. They were : Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Rio Flair, Four Horsemen. Undertaker was his favourite.
  3. According to Kane the WWE had become a product of television. It had become stronger. The format of the show had also changed due to the competition from the formerly WCW. Also business had grown manifold.
  4. Kane prefers performing without the mask because he is unlimited in what he can do. However, with the mask he relies on body language.
  5. Kane wrestles these days for two things : one, for fun and two, for entertaining his fans.
  6. My impression about Kane is good. He is a wrestler in the true sense and a man of principles. Secondly, he has a warm respect for his fans. He is always ready for their entertainment.

Writing Task

Question 1.
Many people are of the opinion that violent, physical sports such as boxing, kick boxing and wrestling, to name a few should be banned while others think otherwise.
Express your opinion on the topic by either writing in favour of banning these sports or against banning them. While writing, you should also include the rebuttal to your questions. Try not to go beyond 200 words.
Answer:
BANNING VIOLENT PHYSICAL SPORTS
Many people think that violent physical sports such as boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, bull-fighting, to name a few, should be banned. And they think rightly so. What’s the main aim of sports and games? Pleasure and entertainment. They provide us thrill or ‘excitement’. They lift our spirits. We feel more animated and alive. And the entertainment that sports and games provide us is the healthy and wholesome entertainment. On the other hand, violent physical sports such as boxing, kick boxing and bullfighting provide us a vulgar pleasure. It is violent and sadistic in nature. When we watch hockey, badminton or cricket we enjoy them. We appreciate Gavaskar for defence, Vivian Richards for attack and Sachin Tendulkar for style. Similarly, we adore Maradona or Pele not for their foul play or hitting the opponents but for their scoring abilities. Similarly, we admire Federer for his craftsmanship and Nadal for his power play in lawn-tennis. All these sports lift us physically, mentally as well as spiritually.

Watch a ten or fifteen-round boxing match. What do you like the most in a boxing match? You like the punches, hooks and the maximum damage that a boxer can do to his opponent. At every punch or hook your desire to see assault and your blood is aroused. Before the bout ends you find both the players wounded, bleeding and their faces cut at more than half a dozen places. Some players even lose their lives during boxing bouts. What is bullfighting? It shows sheer lack of decency, lack of good taste that one craves for such violent sports. Such bloody and violent sports should be banned.

Question 2.
A large part of the story is composed of conversation between the characters.
Can you convert it into a play and in groups, present your version of the play before the class? Before that, decide onthe members of cast, minimum props required and also the costumes.
Answer:
A Classroom Activity.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (SOLVED)

Answer each of the following questions in 30-40 words.

Question 1:
Why did Mrs Bramble address her son as “dearie” ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Mrs Bramble was very proud of her son Harold as Harold was a genius and different from other ordinary children. Out of love for her she addresses him as ‘dearie’.

Question 2:
‘Bill and his wife were a little afraid of their wonderful child’. Why ? (CBSE 2014)
Or
‘His very perfection had led to a series of ‘evasions’ on the part of Mr and Mrs Bramble.
Explain. (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Bill and his wife knew that their son Harold was a child prodigy. He was excellent in his studies and behaviour. Both were made to believe that Harold would be ashamed to know that his father was a boxer. So, they were a bit afraid of him. They continued to hide the truth from Harold.

Question 3:
Why did Bill think of trying out a job as an instructor ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Bill came to believe that Harold would not be happy to know that his father was a professional boxer. Harold might feel embarrassed and ashamed of him. So, bill decided to give up boxing and try out a job as an instructor at some school or college.

Question 4:
Which event was Mrs Bramble waiting for that could end all her anxieties ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Mrs Bramble was waiting for the last fight her husband would have with Murphy. Even if Mr Bramble would lose he was to get a hundred and twenty pounds. That amount, Mrs Bramble thought, would end all her worries and enable them to lead a comfortable life.

Question 5:
Bill Bramble brought about major changes in his life after the birth of his son Harold. What were they ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
After the birth of his son Harold Bramble began to feel ashamed of reading his name as a boxer in print. He began to hide his profession lest Harold should feel embarrassed about it. He lied to the boy that he was a firm’s touring representative.

Question 6:
Why did Bill stop Jerry from uttering anything ? (CBSE )
Answer:
Jerry Fisher, Bill’s trainer, was angry at Bill’s refusal to fight. So he wanted to retaliate by telling Bill’s secret to the child Harold. As Bill did not want his son Harold to know that he was a professional boxer, he stopped Jerry from uttering anything.

Question 7:
What changed Bill’s outlook towards life ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Bill had a negative attitude towards life. He felt guilty at his having been a professional boxer. He felt that Harold, his son, would feel ashamed of himself on learning about his profession. But when Harold said that he was proud of being the son of a famous boxer, he felt relieved and happy.

Question 8:
How did Harold react on learning about his father’s profession ?
Answer:
Harold was at first angry to learn that he was not told that he was the son of a famous boxer, Young Porky. Then he felt sad that if he knew who he was no one at school would have made fun of him by calling him ‘Goggles’.

Question 9:
What was the end of their (Jerry and Harold’s) incidental meeting ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Jerry Fisher, Bill’s trainer, decided to reveal to Harold the secret of his father being a professional boxer. He met Harold and revealed the secret. Harold felt proud of being the son of a great boxer. He was angry at the fact that he was deprived of the glory and honour for a long time.

Question 10:
Who was Jerry Fisher ? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Jerry Fisher was the trainer of Bill Bramble. He was angry with Bill for deciding not to fight. He tried to convince him that he would earn a lot of money if he fought. He said he should also think of all the troubles he had gone through to earn name and fame as a boxer.

Question 11:
What was it that Harold did not like about his mother ?
Answer:
Mrs Bramble treated her grown-up child, Harold, as a kid. She would call him ‘dearie’. She would refer to herself in the third person. Harold did not like this strange way of talking to him. He often felt bad and irritated about it.

Question 12:
When Mr Bramble came to know that he was to become a father what were some of the names he decided upon ? Why ?
Answer:
Mr Bramble thought about the names of famous sports persons for his child. He wanted to name his child John, if a boy, after Mr John L Sullivan, or if a girl, Marie, after Miss Marie Lloyd. It was so because he wanted his child to earn name and fame as a sportsperson.

Question 13:
What made Mr Bramble to return home leaving his training midway ?
Answer:
Mr Bramble learnt that the fight in which he was to take part was a national affair and it was to be reported in the Mail with his photograph. He feared that his son, Harold, would come to know about his real identity, which he had hidden from him for so long. So he decided to stop his training and come back home.

Question 14:
How did Mr Percy try to dissuade Mr Bramble from taking part in the boxing contest ?
Answer:
Mr Percy, Mrs Bramble’s brother, tried to dissuade Mr Bramble from taking part in the boxing contest. He sent him letters and tracts. He told him about the bad consequences if his son Harold came to know about his real profession.

Question 15:
What tells you of Harold’s interest in boxing ?
Answer:
Harold himself speaks about his interest in boxing and boxers. He tells how one of his friends has a snapshot of Jimmy Wilde. He wants his father to defeat Jimmy Murphy to get a chance with Sid Sampson for the Lonsdale belt.

Question 16:
Do you agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him the fact that his father was a boxer ? Why/Why not ?
Answer:
No, the decision was wrong. There is no shame in being a sportsperson or a boxer. Every physical activity is as dignified as any intellectual activity. Harold’s parents should not have hidden the fact of his father’s profession. There was nothing shameful about it.

Question 17:
Harold was a model child but for one thing that marred his ‘perfe ction’. What was it ?
Answer:
Harold was a model child, different from ordinary children. He was fully devoted to his books. He was a model of good behaviour. But his ‘perfection’ was marred by deliberate falsehood on the part of his parents. His parents evaded the truth and lied to him about his father’s profession.

Question 18:
Why did Harold’s parents think it prudent to keep him in dark about his father’s profession ?
Answer:
Harold’s parents thought that boxing did not enjoy good reputation, and that being a professional boxer was not something to be proud of. They feared their child would feel ashamed of himself if he learnt that his father was a boxer.

Question 19:
Name the two persons who were mainly responsible for keeping Harold in dark about his father’s true identity.
Answer:
The senior curate of the parish and Mrs Bramble’s brother, Major Percy Stokes, were mainly responsible for convincing Harold’s parents not to disclose the true identity of his father to him as they believed that boxing was not a respectable profession.

Question 20:
Was Mr Bramble ashamed of his profession ? Why did he agree to the suggestion that he should conceal his professional identity from his son ?
Answer:
Mr Bramble had been proud of being a professional boxer before the birth of Harold. He was the most obliging of men. When he was asked to suppress his profession for the better development of his child, he agreed to the suggestion without demur.

VALUE – BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (SOLVED)

Answer the following questions in 80-100 words each.

Question 1:
One should take pride in one’s profession. Comment upon the
statement in the context of the story ‘Keeping It from Harold’.
Or
Are Mrs and Mr Bramble justified in not taking pride in their profession. Do you agree ?
Give reasons for your answer. (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
You should really take pride in your profession. Only then can others give you respect and recognition. Those who look down upon their profession remain guilt-ridden and a failure. In the story ‘Keeping It from Harold’ both Mrs and Mr Bramble are guilty of undermining the profession of boxing. Mr Bramble is a famous boxer, known as “Young Porky’. Uptil his son’s birth he thinks high of his profession. Then both he and his wife come to believe that their son Harold would feel embarrassed and ashamed of the fact that he was the son of a boxer. They keep Mr Bramble’s profession a secret from Harold. They are pleasantly shocked when Harold feels angry at being deprived of the glory and honour of being a famous boxer’s son. This proves that his parents were not justified in downgrading a good profession. Boxing, though an aggressive and bloody game, is an honourable profession like any other profession.

Question 2:
Harold is considered to be fond of only intellectual activities. He proves to be much maturer than his parents think. How ?
Answer:
Harold is an intelligent boy who is considered to be a model in studies and behaviour. Everyone at school praises him. He has already won some prizes in academics. He is a bespectacled child. His parents are in a bit of awe of him. His mother, Mrs Bramble, calls him ‘dearie’ and looks upon him as a child prodigy. His father is equally fond and proud of him. His parents come to believe that he should not know that he is the son of a professional boxer. He can never think that he could be a lover of boxing and boxers. When Harold learns about his being the son of a famous boxer, he feels angry of being deprived of glory and honour. He tells his parents that if the fact was known to his school children they would never have dared to make fun of him by calling ‘Goggles’. His interest in games, especially boxing, shows that is much maturer than his parents can ever think of.

Question 3:
Jerry Fisher, in his pursuit to unravel the secret that the Brambles had hidden so long from Harold,
actually helped the Bramble family.Discuss. (CBSE)
Answer:
The Brambles had not told their son Harold that his father was a professional boxer. They were afraid that Harold would feel bad and bitter about the truth. So they told a lie to him that his father was a firm’s touring representative. Mr Bramble wanted to take part for the last time in a boxing match. He went for training with Jerry Fisher. When he learnt that the match would be reported in the Mail with his photograph he got frightened. He thought that their secret would be out. So he withdrew himself from the training. As they needed money, the matter caused both he and his wife a lot of worry and tension. Jerry Fisher, in anger, revealed their secret to their son Harold. When Harold announced his itnerest in boxing and his feelings of pride in being the son of a boxer, Mr and Mrs Bramble were relieved of their burden and guilt. Thus, Jerry Fisher, in revealing the secret, helped them regain normalcy.

Question 4:
As Harold, express year feelings in a diary entry in 80-100 words on learning about your father’s profession. (CBSE)
Answer:
10th April, 20….
10 p.m.
Dear Diary
I am so happy and excited today! I want to dance like mad. Today Jerry Fisher, who is Dad’ trainer (I learnt only today), revealed that Dad is no other that “Young Porky’, a famous boxer. I would not believe my ears. Dad and a boxer ? I had been told that he was a touring representative of a firm, My father was ready to sacrifice name and fame and money just for my so-called dignity. I appreciate his feelings. At the same time I feel sad that I have been deprived of the honour and glory of being the son of a great boxer. I have asked Dad to give me his photograph to swank it before my friends ever ready to make fun of me as ‘Goggles’. I have also asked Dad to fight and beat Murphy. I want him to win the bout at all costs. How I love you, Dad!

Question 5:
As Major Percy, write a letter to your friend expressing your remorse at your failure to keep Mr Bramble away from a devilish game.
Answer:
10 Green House Susse
4th April, 20……….
Dear John
I wish I were dead this moment. You know, I am deadly against boxing which is a Devil’s game. Boxing is simply inhuman. I believe boxers are fated to go to Hell. I did my best to save Mr Bramble, my sister’s husband, from perdition. I was happy when Mr Bramble came back home deciding not to participate in the bout with Jimmy Murphy. My sister resented his coming home. I tried to persuade her to see reason and forget the money involved. Then Jerry Fisher-Mr Bramble’s trainer-undid all that I had done. He told the secret to Harold, and Harold-God save him-was so exultant on knowing that he was the son of a boxer! How mean on his part.
I’ve decided never to step in the house of those Brambles.
Yours sincerely Percy

Question 6:
‘Keeping It from Harold’ underlines the idea that boxing is as dignified as any other activity, physical or mental. What happens when we downplay one activity over the other, especially our own ability ? What should be our attitude ?
Answer:
Mr Bramble, a famous boxer, hides his profession from his intellectually brilliant son, fearing that he might come to hate him. He decides to stop boxing.
We feel that when we downplay one activity over the other illogically, we are not doing something fair. If we happen to downplay and dislike our own ability, like Mr Bramble, we are likely to fall in our own eyes. We lose our self-confidence and self-pride. Others may or may not despise us but we begin to despise ourselves. The Brambles are surprised when their son says that he would have loved to be known as the son of a famous boxer.
Therefore, we need to be proud of our own achievements. We should be proud of whatever profession we are in. We should try to excel in it and feel proud of what we do. Only then will other people love and respect us. We should remember that no activity or profession is undignified or low. It is our thinking that makes something desirable or undesirable.

Question 7:
“He was a professional boxer. That was the trouble.” Discuss.
Answer:
There are many people who look down upon boxing. They think that sports like boxing are violent and are hence not meant for gentle folk. In the story, such people are represented by the senior curate of the parish and major Percy Stokes who take upon them the responsibility of guarding the morality of the people. They persuade the Brambles to hide from their son Harold the profession of his father. Mr Bramble, who has been a good boxer and known as Young Porky’, comes to believe them. Being modest, he gives in to their demands. In spite of having pride in his profession, he agrees to hide his true identity. He makes this sacrifice for the sake of his son. He wants his son not to feel ashamed of himself for his being a boxer. It is again for the sake of his son that he decides not to take part in the contest with Jimmy Murphy, though he needs money badly. He fears his son will come to know of his father’s true identity as the event is going to be reported in the Mail.

Little does he know that his son is fond of boxing. He has gathered a lot of information about boxing and boxers. When the truth is out, his son is annoyed at being kept in the dark that he is the son of a professional boxer.

Question 8:
“Pa, can’t you give me a picture of yourself boxing ? I could swank like anything. And you don’t know how sick a chap gets of having chaps call him, ‘Goggles’.”
In the light of the above extract, analyze Harold’s feeling on learning that his father was a professional boxer.
Answer:
Harold overheard his father talking about him. He was curious to know what he was talking about. Jerry Fisher, in order to take revenge on Bill, told Harold that his father was not a commercial traveler but the famous boxer ‘Young Porky’, and that his father was not going to fight with Murphy because of him. Harold was astonished to learn the fact. He surprised everyone by revealing that he had a bet and if there were no contest, he was going to lose his bet. He said that his friends had the autographs of famous sport spersons. He felt annoyed that he had been kept in the dark about his father being a boxer. Nobody would have laughed at him and called him ‘Goggles’ if they had known who his father was.

Mr Bramble told Mr Fisher that it would be better for them to go back to the White Hart. After they had left, Harold continued talking about the relative merits of Sid Sampson and the Ginger Nut, the two famous boxers. There was animated expression on his face.

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