The character in "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel chooses to keep certain aspects of his life private, even from those he is close to, like Richard and Rafe. While he is open to discussing his past to some extent, he remains guarded about revealing deeper, more personal stories. This indicates a strong desire for self-protection and a reluctance to fully expose himself to others.

This behavior reflects a common struggle among individuals to balance openness in relationships with the instinct to maintain personal boundaries. By choosing not to share everything, he retains some control over his narrative, suggesting that vulnerability can be challenging and that certain stories can be kept safe for the individual.