Chapter 32 end of fourth quarter

The old man carefully studied the names on the ebony wood knife holder. The light from the desk lamp obliquely casts a heavy shadow on the notch, making these names appear lively, three-dimensional and patchwork: Perbona (Verbena), Luscher (Luscher), Carrera (Carrera) and Karolina (Karolina) touched these scratches with their hands, as if they were flipping through the hundreds of years of the Hofer family. history. The history of the family slowly overflows and diffuses from the gaps in the letters, and gradually boils into an ethereal voice, which reaches the old man's ears: These are some beautiful names! ——But betrayal and death always give people a bad impression.Is not it?

In fact, they are not complete names—they are just incomplete titles, a kind of punishment and objective record of the shameful history of unfaithful women: how can women who betrayed their husbands be worthy of being called "Ho Phil" the honorable surname?The death they were given in the end was already the greatest forgiveness the family gave them. Just look at the name: Carrera--this is the recorded name of a slut who betrayed Sir Meldon Hofer more than a hundred years ago.She even gave birth to a child for her lover! And this, my little Rügenmann-Luchel, a very innocent-looking name, isn't it?This is a slutty woman that even a monk would not let go.

Perbona, Perbona? Who is this?Oh, sorry, little Rügenmann, I can't remember who she was either: anyway, she betrayed the family, she died—how much did it matter what she did? Ha, this!Karolina—isn't this your disgrace?Rügenmann Hofer? We are so disappointed in you!You have abandoned the family tradition, both in spirit and in form - alas, you have also produced a butcher? You can still be called the descendant of knights? The fact that such is really regarded as a comic insult"But I didn’t? Of course I am the most loyal, as you can see—that name was carved by me, for the family, I even lost my own daughter, me?”, the old man argued with a weak and hoarse voice.

enough! !Look at your weakness, your ridiculousness and stupidity! ! ——You married a slut who lost her reputation, and raised a daughter who seduced a gardener? Even yourself, you can't be called an aboveboard person! Hearing this, the old man who was eager to argue just now had a slight smile on his face: "Hey, isn't it? That's right. My ancestors, my family—you are bright, open and selfless, you are great. And I am stupid, blind, selfish and narrow. I I am no longer worthy of the glorious surname 'Hofer' - I will immediately sacrifice my small and redundant life, lest it continue to tarnish the glorious history of the Hofer family."

Never!My little Rügenmann, please don't! ! "What are you panicking about?" The old man wiped the blade of the ancient knife with a white silk cloth, his expression extremely indifferent. Huh? This.You have always been part of the Hofer family - it's like a part of history that can't be changed "So, who is responsible for my tragedy?" The old man sneered dryly, and the voice of history fell silent in an instant.The old man picked up a carving knife and carved the name "Rügenmann Hofer" on the knife holder next to "Carolina". After thinking about it, he crossed out "Hofer" heavily:

"I hope this is the end?", the old man could no longer make a sound, but said to himself in his heart. The white silk cloth falls to the ground, the knife is raised