Here's why:
* They're afraid of Norton: Norton is a bully and a troublemaker who John and Lorraine know will take advantage of the situation. They fear he'll try to use Mr. Pignati's kindness and generosity for his own selfish purposes.
* They want to protect Mr. Pignati: They believe that keeping Mr. Pignati a secret will help him stay happy and avoid any unwanted attention or exploitation.
* They want to keep their own experience special: John and Lorraine have developed a unique and meaningful relationship with Mr. Pignati. They cherish the time they spend with him and don't want to share this special experience with someone they don't trust.
Their decision to keep Mr. Pignati a secret ultimately creates a lot of tension and conflict in the story, but it stems from their desire to protect him and maintain the purity of their connection.