of Sue, whose brief renown was so sensational, and she always thought of Prince Djalma when she saw Saïdyah. The young ladies also understood better than before how it was that the Javanese artist, Radhen Saleh, had created such an impression in Paris.
But they thought Saïdyah ungrateful when, after nearly three years’ service, he gave notice and asked for a certificate of good conduct. This, however, could not be refused, and Saïdyah set out for his native village with a happy heart.
He passed Pesing, where at one time Havelaar dwelt, long ago. But this Saïdyah did not know. And even if he had known, he carried in his soul other things altogether, that entirely occupied him. He counted the treasures that he brought home with him. In a bamboo roll he had his pass and the certificate of good conduct. In a small cylindrical case attached to a leather strap, something heavy seemed constantly to be tapping against his shoulder, but he liked to feel this. . . . I should think so! In it were thirty Spanish dollars, enough to buy three buffaloes with. What would Adinda say! And this was not all. On his back one saw the silvermounted sheath of a dagger which he wore in his belt. The hilt was no doubt of finely chiselled kamooning,[1] for he had wrapped it most carefully in a silk kerchief. And he had still more treasures. In the knot of the cloth round his loins he kept a stomacher of broad silver links with a golden fastening. It is true, the stomacher was short, but she was so slender . . . Adinda!
And attached to a cord round his neck, beneath his singlet, he carried a little silk bag containing some dried melatti.
Was it to be wondered that he did not delay at Tangerang longer than was necessary to visit the friend of his father who matted such dainty straw hats? Was it to be wondered that he had little to say to the girls he met on the road, who asked him “Whither and whence?” which is the greeting in these parts? Was it to be wondered that he no longer thought Serang so important looking, he who had come to know Batavia? That he no
- ↑ A costly Javanese wood.
