To most people, Mr. Murry is a figure of mystery. His absence from the family home means that he's the subject of numerous bizarre theories as to his whereabouts. Some of the townsfolk say that he's run off with another woman, which makes Meg incredibly annoyed and upset. These people have no understanding of the love that Meg's parents share. Calvin sympathizes with Meg; he knows that Mr. Murry is a physicist who once worked on important projects for the government, so he reckons he must be doing some top secret work. That's certainly the impression that Mrs. Murry has. Because whenever she gets in touch with people in the know in Washington, they always tell her that her husband is on a secret, dangerous mission, and so is unable to contact his family.