“I am sure you will understand, Mr. Bury,” Sarida’s father said, “that it is a crime that these ancient and magnificent Temples should be ignored by the Dutch and ransacked of their treasures, as Borobudur was.”
“I have only recently learned what happened,” the Duke replied, “and like the Viceroy I am appalled at such vandalism.”
“You can imagine how we feel,” Hadji said in Javanese. “We love our country and it is agonising to realise how little our traditions mean to our conquerors.”
The pain in his voice was something that the Duke thought must be felt by every intelligent Javanese.
A servant brought them coffee and some delicious small cakes that were so English that the Duke was sure that Sarida had made them.
They sat talking for a while until, as Mr. Martin looked tired, Hadji r
