Mr. Thomas is Old Misery, the man who owns the house that the boys set out to destroy in the story. Mr. Thomas used to be a builder and decorator and he has a beautiful home that ironically was built so well that it survived the first blitz. The blitz that is spoken of in the story is in references to a large aerial bombing attack that struck the area years ago and all that was left standing after it was Old Misery's home. In the allegorical approach to the story Mr. Thomas, a.k.a. Old Misery represents the Sinahlese voters and his home represents the Sri Lakan state. The short story is an allegory for the decline or destruction of the post independent Sri Lankan state.