Don’t say hate, Bruno’s mother said
What do you hate about history? Father asked. He put his fork in his hand and looked across the table. Bruno shrugged for a while. It was one of his bad habits.
Because of boredom, he said
The boring father said that my son said that history is boring, and I’ll tell you this Bruno. He went on to say that leaning forward and pointing a knife at this boy is history that brought us here. Without history, there would be no you. I’m sitting at this table now, and we will be safely at the table in Berlin, but we are rewriting history here.
It’s still boring. Bruno didn’t listen to his father.
You must forgive my brother Liu Trent kotler Graeter for putting his hand on his arm for a while, which made his mother squint at her. He is a little boy who knows very well.
I don’t know Bruno said angrily that he had had enough of her. You have to forgive my sister Liu Trent kotler. He added politely that she is a hopeless person and there is nothing we can do about her. The doctors said that no one can help her.
Shut up, Gretel said, blushing.
Shut up, Bruno said with a bad smile
Children, stop, mother said
Father knocked on the table with his knife, so everyone was quiet. Bruno stole a glance at his father. He wasn’t really angry, but it seemed that he couldn’t stand this argument any longer.
When I was a child, I was very historical. After a moment of silence, Liu Trent kotler said that although my father was a professor of great literature, I was better at it than Wen.
Why didn’t I know? Kurt’s mother said she turned to look at him. Is he still teaching?
I think it was Liu Trent kotler who said that I didn’t really know.
Well, how could you not know? She asked, frowning at him. Have you lost contact with him?
Young Liu Trent chewed a mouthful of mutton, which gave him a chance to think and answer this question. He looked at Bruno and seemed to regret bringing the topic to this side.
Kurt’s mother asked again, are you not in touch with your father?
Nothing. He replied with a reluctant shrug and didn’t turn to look at his mother. He left Germany a few years ago. In 1938, I don’t think I have seen him since.
Father stopped eating and looked at Liu Trent kotler for a while and frowned slightly. Then where did he go? He asked
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch General Hull. Could you say that again, please? Liu Trent kotler asked, although his father spoke more clearly than he did.
I asked you where he went, and he repeated that your father, Professor Wen, where he left Germany.
Liu Trent kotler blushed and stuttered. I think he should be in Switzerland now. He finally said that the last time I heard from him was teaching in a university in Bern.
Oh, Switzerland is really a beautiful country, mother Ma said. Although I have never been there, I heard that.
He won’t be very old. Your father’s father said that his deep voice made them both afraid to talk. I think you are 17 and 18.
My horse will be nineteen years old, General Hull.
Then your father should be in his forties, I think
Liu Trent kotler didn’t say anything, but continued to eat, although he didn’t seem to eat well at all.
I wonder why he didn’t stay in the motherland, said his father
We are not close. My father, I, Liu Trent kotler Ma, said that a glance at the dining table seems to owe everyone an explanation. It’s true that we haven’t spoken for years.
What is his reason? May I ask? My father continued to ask, is he infected with tuberculosis when he left her in the most glorious and life-and-death place in the motherland when every Chinese should be duty-bound to contribute to national rejuvenation?
Liu Trent kotler stared at his father’s words, which made him confused. Can you say that again? He asked.
Did he go to Switzerland for a breath of fresh air? My father explained that he was still away from Germany. After a while in 1938, my father added.
I’m afraid I don’t know General Hull. Liu Trent kotler said you should ask him.
Well, it’s more difficult to do that, isn’t it? He’s too far away. I mean, but it may be true that he may be ill. Father hesitated before picking up his knife and fork again and eating again. Or maybe he disagreed.
General hull, a dissident
We’ve heard too many stories about disobeying the government. I guess some people make trouble, some people commit treason and some people are cowards. Of course, you’ve made it clear that your position is higher than your father, haven’t you, Liu Trent kotler?
Young Liu Trent opened his mouth and swallowed a mouthful, although there was nothing in his mouth.