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I also don't see the evidence that Silk had committed suicide. Perhaps he was just at the end of his life span. Many times when two people are joined in spirit and body for many years as he and Hyacinth (sp?) were when one dies the other doesn't live much longer. Perhaps he was just dying from sadness/grief.
What in the text leads the suicide believers to believe so?
Dennis/Endy
At the moment I'm on your side here. The fact that Silk is bleeding might mean that he had cut himself, but it might also mean he's been defending the house. Not only is Silk bleeding, but the house is completely torn up. My first guess would be the Silk is dying from wounds he has received in some conflict, and that Hyacinth is already dead from the same.
Dire interpretations of Wolfe events are tempting, but recall how often they have been wrong. Weer in Peace was supposed to be a multiple murderer, according to some, until Wolfe said that was nonsense. I assumed Severian was a much worse character than Wolfe intended him to be. So, as regards Silk's death, well, with GW you never know! But I would not jump to the more dire reading, without good evidence.
Pat. Nut.
*This is WHORL, for discussion of Gene Wolfe's Book of the Long Sun.