The theme of family is introduced in the story through Karrin Murphy. Murphy is worried about an upcoming family reunion. She does not want to go and is desperate to get out of it. Despite her desire to be able to shirk off the responsibility of going she knows that she has to go in order to spare her mother's feelings. She tells Harry about her concerns and tells Harry that she would not expect him to understand. Murphy is immediately sorry about the remark since Harry is an orphan without any family. He does not have any memories of his mother since she died shortly after he was born. After Harry leaves Murphy, he realizes that he still has unresolved issues regarding his orphan status.