-17- (6)

This afternoon I sat in the courtyard of the house with Uncle Sobirin . We just got back from Berjo to check out some of the rental lands that are there. There are several fields that have failed to harvest because the cucumbers are rotten or even worse, the leaves of trees that are about to flower are eaten by caterpillars. I don't know how much loss it is, I don't know. This is the second time this year that the gardens that I cultivate there always fail. I don't know why, or I just can't.

"This smoke will not be billowing from the kitchen of the wives in Berjo. Everything is sold out. Cucumbers from tens of hectares are sold out," said Uncle Junet, who had just arrived. He then sat down with me and Sobirin's uncle. "You are, Jun."

I saw Sobirin's uncle smacking Junet's uncle, then he cleared his throat a few times.

"You are, you know, Net. You don't know yourself," he said. "Even though you are the uncle of Master Arjuna, but after all, you are only a courtier. It is forbidden for a courtier to act so impudently. Moreover, blame the master as if the courtier was the right one."

"Okay, uncle, I'm fine," I said. It's not good if they have to fight just because of me.

"Well, this is a serious matter, you know, skipper. Even the courtiers who are most respected by skipper Adrian and skipper Nathan, have never done that. Hey, Junet... you know Uncle Marji?" said Uncle Sobirin who is now asking Uncle Junet. Uncle Junet nodded silently. "He is an example of the most loyal courtiers on this earth. Even though he knows that the two famous skippers in this country regard him as Father, it has never crossed his mind to patronize our two skippers, let alone blame them like you. He has always been loyal to his boss, whatever happens. In fact, he is willing to die for his boss. Then you, are you willing to die for your boss, especially if your boss is your own nephew?" Again, Uncle Junet was silent, and that managed to make Uncle Sobirin laugh. "Can't answer, can you? Yes, that's how subordinates behave nowadays. Loyalty is the umpteenth priority."

"Well, how come it's getting all over the place, you know," said Uncle Junet at last. "I'm just talking about cucumbers, after all."

"Well, you yourself, talk like that. Blame the skipper Arjuna."