but I had the terrible certainty that my way was leading me further and further downhill and into the darkness.
I realized clearly that from my wrongdoing other wrongdoings must result,
that the greetings and kisses I gave to my parents would be a lie, that a secret destiny I should have to conceal hung over me.
For an instant confidence and hope came to me like a lightning flash as I gazed at my father’s hat.
I would tell him everything, would accept his judgment and the punishment he might mete out; he would be my confidant and would save me.
Confession was all that would be necessary, as I had made so many confessions before—
a difficult bitter hour, a serious, remorseful plea for forgiveness.
How sweetly that sounded! How tempting that was! But nothing came of it. I knew that I should not do it.
I knew that I had now a secret, that I was burdened with guilt for which I myself would have to bear the responsibility alone.
Perhaps I was at this very moment at the cross-roads, perhaps from this hour henceforth I should have to belong to the wicked,
forever share secrets with the bad, depend on them, obey them, and become as one of themselves.
I had pretended to be a man and a hero, now I had to take the consequences.
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