Torment and Sorrow: Bab 1

Bab 1

Chapter 1

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Sekarang baiklah kita tinggalkan rumah kecil tempat kediaman ibu dan anaknya itu; kita biarkan mereka tidur dengan senangnya, karena tidur yang nyenyak itu amat berguna kepada mereka, untuk menguatkan badannya menanggung kemiskinan yang akan datang waktu besok atau lusa.

Now let us leave the little house where the mother and her child live; let us allow them to sleep peacefully, for a sound sleep will do them much good, strengthening their bodies to endure the poverty that will come tomorrow or the day after.

Marilah kita berjalan melalui jalan besar yang menuju ke luar kota Sipirok, yang menuju ke sebelah utara.

Let us walk along the main road leading out of the town of Sipirok, heading north.

Kalau sekiranya waktu itu siang dan hari baik, tentu dapatlah kita melihat arah tujuan kita.

If it were daytime and the weather were fine, we would certainly be able to see where we were going.

Tetapi tak mengapa, kita takkan sesat, sebab jalan itu tak banyak simpang-siurnya, lagi telah dikenal benar-benar.

But never mind; we shall not lose our way, for the road has few twists and turns and is very familiar to us.

Tengoklah ke muka!

Look ahead!

Apakah yang tampak?

What do you see?

Kiri-kanan jalan besar itu terbentang sawah yang luas, lebih baik dikatakan jalan itu terentang di tengah-tengah sawah yang luas.

On either side of the main road stretch vast rice fields; indeed, it would be more accurate to say that the road runs right through the middle of an immense expanse of paddy fields.

Padi yang sedang hendak berbuah itu hijau daunnya, sehingga lapangan yang luas itu seolah-olah ditutup dengan beledu hijau yang lebar.

The rice plants, just beginning to form their grain, have green leaves, so that the vast fields seem to be covered with a broad expanse of green velvet.

Kira- kira satu setengah pal dari Sipirok, nampaklah di tengah-tengah sawah yang subur itu puncak-puncak pohon nyiur dan kayu-kayuan, antaranya kelihatanlah rumah-rumah yang beratap ijuk.

About a mile and a half from Sipirok, the tops of coconut palms and other trees can be seen rising in the midst of those fertile rice fields, among which houses with thatched roofs of palm fibre come into view.

Makin dekat makin nyatalah, bahwa tempat itu sebuah kampung, dan itulah tempat lahir dan tinggal Aminu'ddin, seorang anak muda yang baru berumur delapan belas tahun.

As we draw nearer, it becomes increasingly clear that the place is a village, the birthplace and home of Aminu'ddin, an eighteen-year-old young man.

Anak muda itu anak kepala kampung yang memerintahkan kampung A itu.

The young man is the son of the village headman who governs Village A.

Nama kampung itu, hanya huruf awalnya saja yang dituliskan di sini, sebab kuranglah baik rasanya, kalau disebutkan nama yang secukupnya.

Only the initial letter of the village's name is given here, for it would not seem quite proper to mention its full name.

Ayah Aminu'ddin bolehlah dikatakan seorang kepala kampung yang terkenal di antero luhak Sipirok.

Aminu'ddin's father may be said to be a village headman renowned throughout the entire Sipirok district.

Harta bendanya amatlah banyaknya, dan kerbau lembunya pun cukup di Padang Lawas, apalagi sawahnya berlungguk-lungguk, sehingga harga padi yang dijualnya tiap-tiap tahun beratus-ratus rupiah, mana lagi hasil kebun kopi belum terhitung.

His possessions were exceedingly abundant, and he had plenty of buffaloes and cattle in Padang Lawas. His rice fields were especially extensive, yielding rice worth hundreds of rupiahs every year when sold, not to mention the produce of his coffee plantations.

Adapun kekayaannya yang sederhana itu tiada sekali diperolehnya, asalnya peninggalan orang tuanya juga; akan tetapi sebab rajinnya berusaha, maka hartanya itu pun makin lama makin bertambah-tambah.

His considerable wealth had not all come to him through inheritance from his parents; rather, through his diligence and hard work, his possessions had steadily increased over the years.

Kekayaan yang sederhana itu, pangkat kepala kampung itu, ditambahi pula budi yang baik, itulah sebabnya orang itu terkenal di luhak Sipirok dan anak buahnya, yakni penduduk dusun A itu pun menyegani dia.

His considerable wealth and position as village headman, combined with his good character, were what made him famous throughout the Sipirok district, and earned him the respect of his subordinates, namely the inhabitants of Village A.

Dua puluh tahun ia sudah memegang pangkat peninggalan bapak dan neneknya itu.

For twenty years he had held the position inherited from his father and grandfather.

Dalam waktu yang sekian lama itulah ia hidup bersama-sama dengan istrinya, hidup beruntung sebagaimana orang yang lain.

Throughout all those years, he had lived with his wife, enjoying good fortune like other people.

Sebagaimana orang lain?

Like other people?

O, bukan, karena tiadalah semua orang mendapat rezeki yang sebaik itu.

Oh, no, for not everyone is blessed with such good fortune.

Akan tetapi apakah sebabnya mereka itu tiada bersenang hati?

But what could be the reason they were not happy?

Perkawinan mereka itu terikat dengan kecintaan yang bersih dan teguh, apalagi ada juga pertaliannya, yaitu mereka itu orang berkaum juga.

Their marriage was bound together by a pure and steadfast love, strengthened further by the fact that they were also related by clan.

Si laki mengasihi istrinya sejak dari mula gadisnya sampai ia sudah kawin, dan sampai pada waktu sekarang.

The husband had loved his wife from the time she was still a young maiden, throughout their marriage, and right up to the present day.

Bagaimana pula ia tiada mencintai istrinya itu, karena perempuan itu amat baik budinya, dan barang tingkahlakunya pun adalah setuju dengan si suami.

How could he not love his wife? She was a woman of excellent character, and her every manner and action suited her husband's nature.

Romannya yang sederhana dan tabiatnya yang lemah-lembut itu, cukuplah sudah kekuatannya akan mengikat hati suaminya, akan menarik pikiran si laki kepada istrinya.

Her modest appearance and gentle disposition were more than enough to win her husband's heart and keep his thoughts devoted to her.

Amatlah pandainya ia menghiburkan hati suaminya, bila dalam kedukaan, dan dalam segala kesusahan ia menolong suaminya, dengan akal dan bicara, karena ia tahu benar, bahwa seharusnyalah perempuan itu menyenangkan suaminya.

She was exceedingly skilled at comforting her husband whenever he was sorrowful, and in all his difficulties she helped him with her wisdom and counsel, for she knew well that a wife ought to make her husband happy.

Ia patut tertawa, kalau si laki marah, supaya kening yang berkerut menjadi licin; oleh sebab senyum simpul si perempuan yang manis itu dan perkataannya yang lemah-lembut, itu pun hati si laki yang panas itu menjadi dingin dan tawar.

She would laugh when her husband grew angry, so that his furrowed brow might smooth out; at the sight of her sweet smile and the sound of her gentle words, his heated heart would cool and his anger subside.

Bila perempuan mempunyai tabiat yang serupa itu, dapatlah ia memerintahkan suaminya, boleh dikatakan suaminya itu ada di bawah kuasa jari kelingkingnya.

When a woman has such a disposition, she can easily rule her husband; one might say that he is entirely under her little finger.

Dua tahun mereka itu bergaul, maka si istri pun melahirkan buah perkawinan mereka itu, yakni seorang anak laki-laki, itulah dia Aminu'ddin.

After two years of marriage, the wife gave birth to the fruit of their union, a son by the name of Aminu'ddin.

Tali perhubungan antara kedua laki-istri pun makin kuat, sehingga seorang mencintai yang lain sebagai dirinya sendiri.

The bond between husband and wife grew ever stronger, until each loved the other as much as they loved themselves.

Kalau si ibu menyusukan buah hatinya itu di atas tempat tidur, si bapak pun tiada dapat menahan sukacitanya.

Whenever the mother nursed their beloved child on the bed, the father could scarcely contain his joy.

Ia memeluk istrinya, seraya berkata,

He embraced his wife and said,

"Ah, sungguh saya merasa beruntung karena anak kita ini sebagai matahari yang menyinari perkawinan kita dengan cahaya kegirangan. Bukankah benar perkataanku itu, Anggi?"

"Ah, how fortunate I feel! Our child is like a sun, illuminating our marriage with rays of happiness. Am I not right, Anggi?"

"Perasaan laki-laki sudah demikian, karena kelahiran anaknya. Betapa pula lagi besarnya kegirangan hati si ibu, yang menanggung rupa-rupa penanggungan, waktu melahirkan anaknya, yang menjadi buah hati dan tangkai kalbunya?"

"Such are a man's feelings at the birth of his child. But how much greater must be the joy in a mother's heart, after enduring all manner of suffering to give birth to the child who is the treasure of her heart and the very core of her being?"

sahut si istri dengan senyum yang manis, seraya memandang muka suaminya dengan pandang yang tetap.

replied his wife with a sweet smile, gazing steadily into her husband's face.

Cahaya mata si ibu yang cemerlang itu menembus hati si laki; cahaya mata itu memancar dan masuk ke hatinya, masuk ke jantungnya, sehingga api hasrat dan kasihnya akan istrinya itu bernyala-nyala.

The mother's sparkling eyes pierced her husband's heart; their radiance seemed to shine straight into his very soul, causing the flames of his passion and love for his wife to burn ever more brightly.

Ia mendekap dan memeluk istrinya; sekali ini lebih kuat, sambil tangannya gemetar sedikit.

He drew his wife close and embraced her, this time more tightly, his hands trembling slightly.

"Awas, anak kita! Tiadakah engkau sabar lagi? Tunggu sebentar ia tertidur, biar dahulu ia kuletakkan," sahut si ibu, seraya menidurkan buah hatinya itu.

"Careful, our child! Can you not wait a little longer? Wait until the baby falls asleep, and let me lay him down first," replied the mother as she put their beloved child to sleep.

"Bukan main cantikmu kupandang ini, aku amat beruntung dipertemukan Tuhan dengan engkau," kata suaminya seraya ia berdiri, meninggalkan tempat tidur istrinya itu, dengan muka yang berseri-seri, menunjukkan kesenangan hatinya.

"You look extraordinarily beautiful to me. I am so fortunate that God brought us together," said her husband as he rose and stepped away from her bedside, his face beaming with happiness.

Setelah Aminu'ddin berumur delapan tahun, maka ia pun disuruh oleh orang tuanya bersekolah.

When Aminu'ddin reached the age of eight, his parents sent him to school.

Dalam kelasnya, ialah anak yang termuda sekali, kebanyakan sudah berumur sembilan atau sepuluh tahun, karena pada masa itu orang tua tiada suka menyuruh anaknya yang masih kecil ke sekolah, lainlah halnya dengan sekarang.

He was by far the youngest child in his class; most of the others were already nine or ten years old, for in those days parents were reluctant to send their young children to school, unlike today.

Meskipun ia yang terlebih kecil di antara kawan-kawannya, akan tetapi ia amat rajin belajar, baik di sekolah atau di rumah, sehingga gurunya amat menyayangi dia.

Although he was the smallest among his classmates, he studied very diligently, both at school and at home, and his teacher consequently grew very fond of him.

Bila gurunya berkata-kata atau menerangkan sesuatu apa, matanya tiada lepas dari muka guru itu.

Whenever his teacher spoke or explained something, Aminu'ddin never took his eyes off the teacher's face.

Segala keterangan guru itu ditangkapnya dengan daun telinganya, serta diperhatikannya benar-benar, bolehlah dikatakan, sepatah kata pun tiada yang tak dikenalnya.

He absorbed every explanation with his ears and listened with the utmost attention; one might say that not a single word escaped his understanding.

Jadi tiadalah heran lagi, kalau ia menjadi murid kesayangan gurunya.

It was therefore hardly surprising that he became his teacher's favourite pupil.

Dari kelas satu sampai kelas tiga, ia masuk anak yang terpandai di kelasnya.

From the first grade through the third, he was consistently the brightest pupil in his class.

Meskipun demikian tiadalah pernah ia menyombongkan diri, sebagai tabiat yang nampak pada kebanyakan orang muda-muda.

Even so, he never behaved arrogantly, as was often the habit of young people.

Hatinya rendah dan menilik segala cakap dan lakunya, nampak benar-benar, bahwa ia tiada mempunyai hati yang meninggi.

He was humble, and from everything he said and did, it was quite clear that he was not conceited.

Ia disukai oleh kawan-kawannya, seorang pun tiada yang menaruh cemburu kepadanya, lagi pula tak ada jalan bagi temannya akan membencinya.

His classmates liked him; not one of them was jealous of him, and there was certainly no reason for any of them to dislike him.

Di luar dan di dalam sekolah ia selalu menolong mereka, asal dapat olehnya.

Both inside and outside school, he was always ready to help them whenever he could.

Ia dimarahi sekali-sekali oleh gurunya, kadang-kadang sampai mendapat hukuman, tetapi bukanlah karena nakal atau jahatnya, hanyalah karena menolong temannya, waktu berhitung.

His teacher occasionally scolded him, sometimes even punishing him, but never because he was mischievous or badly behaved. It was only because he helped his classmates during arithmetic lessons.

Sudah tentu guru gusar oleh karena itu, dan Aminu'ddin menahan juga dalam hatinya, akan tetapi kadang-kadang ia tiada dapat menahan hati dan nafsunya, yakni nafsu yang selalu hendak memberi pertolongan kepada kawannya.

Naturally, the teacher was annoyed by this, and Aminu'ddin tried to restrain himself, but sometimes he simply could not control his impulses, his constant desire to help his friends.

Meskipun guru menghukumnya, karena kesalahan itu, tiadalah bertukar hati gurunya melihatnya, tiadalah pernah gurunya membencinya ataupun memarahinya dengan kata yang kasar-kasar, karena tahulah gurunya itu, bahwa budak itu berperasaan yang halus sebagai perempuan, dan mempunyai kekerasan hati sebagai laki-laki yang sebenarnya.

Although the teacher punished him for this offence, his feelings towards the boy never changed. He never hated him or scolded him with harsh words, for he knew that the lad had a sensitivity as delicate as a woman's, yet possessed the firmness of character of a true man.

Semuanya itu dapat dilihat pada matanya yang tajam, yang terletak di bawah bulu kening yang hitam, melengkung sebagai busur terpasang.

All this could be seen in his keen eyes, set beneath his dark eyebrows, which curved like a drawn bow.

Waktu ia duduk di kelas tiga, genaplah usianya sepuluh tahun.

By the time he was in the third grade, he had reached the age of ten.

Lepas dari sekolah, ia pun membantu bapaknya bekerja di sawah atau di kebun.

After school, he helped his father work in the rice fields or the garden.

Jaranglah ia diam atau bermain-main saja, karena ia dapat juga mencari pekerjaannya dan bapaknya pun membiasakan dia sebagai orang tani yang patut.

He was rarely idle or merely playing, for he was quite capable of finding work to do, and his father was accustomed to training him to become a proper farmer.

Si ibu yang melihat kelakuan suaminya kepada anaknya, acap kali berkata,

Seeing how her husband treated their son, the mother would often say,

"Janganlah kakanda terlalu keras kepada anak kita itu! Umurnya belum berapa dan tulangnya belum kuat, tetapi kakanda selalu menyuruh dia bekerja. Jangan kakanda samakan kekuatannya dengan kekuatan kakanda. Bukan adinda melarang dia bekerja, akan tetapi jangan terlampau keras; selagi ia kecil, jangan ia dipaksa; dia dibawa ke sawah, hanya sekadar membiasakan saja, supaya tahu ia berusaha di belakang hari."

"Please do not be so hard on our child! He is still very young, and his bones are not yet strong, yet you are always making him work. Do not expect him to have the same strength as you. I am not forbidding him to work, but do not be too harsh with him. While he is still small, he should not be forced. Take him to the rice fields merely to familiarise him with the work, so that he will know how to earn a living when he grows up."

"Janganlah adinda kuatir, bukanlah kakanda memaksa dia, akan tetapi anak kita itu amat gemarnya bekerja, tiadalah ubahnya dengan kakanda, semasa kecilku. Bukankah baik itu, anak mencontoh tabiat bapaknya? Masakan kakanda tiada menjaga Aminu'ddin, buah hati dan cahaya mata kakanda itu," sahut si suami dengan suara melembutkan hati istrinya.

"Do not worry, my dear. I am not forcing him to work. Our child simply loves working; he is just like I was when I was young. Is it not a good thing for a child to imitate his father's habits? Surely I would never neglect Aminu'ddin, my beloved child, the apple of my eye," replied her husband in a voice intended to soothe his wife's concerns.

"Adinda pun tahu juga, anak kita itu kakanda cintai, sebagaimana adinda mencintai dia," kata si istrinya, tetapi suaranya sudah berkurang kerasnya, oleh sebab bujukan suaminya.

"I know very well that you love our child just as much as I do," said his wife, her voice already softened by her husband's gentle persuasion.

"Tidak benar, ibu lebih menyayangi anaknya daripada bapak," sahut suaminya itu, seraya tersenyum-senyum.

"That is not true. A mother loves her child more dearly than a father does," her husband replied with a smile.

Percakapan yang serupa itu biasa terjadi waktu malam, sesudah Aminu'ddin tidur dalam kamarnya, pada sebelah kanan serambi muka, di muka kamar tidur orang tuanya.

Conversations of this kind commonly took place at night, after Aminu'ddin had gone to sleep in his room, which stood to the right of the front veranda, opposite his parents' bedroom.

"Sudahkah tertidur Aminu'ddin?"

"Has Aminu'ddin fallen asleep?"

tanya suaminya, setelah sejurus panjang lamanya ia termenung.

her husband asked after sitting lost in thought for quite some time.

"Adinda rasa sudah," sahut istrinya.

"I believe he has," his wife replied.

"Tadi sesudah makan, ia terus pergi ke kamarnya, karena ia sudah payah benar bekerja sehari ini."

"He went straight to his room after supper, because he was thoroughly exhausted from working all day."

"Bekerja katamu? Sehari ini kakanda tak ada melihatnya."

"Working, you say? I have not seen him doing any work today."

"Ia menolong mencangkul sawah mak Mariamin. Hari ini ia libur sekolah karena hari besar. Karena itu ia pergi tadi pagi ke Sipirok. Petang inilah baru ia pulang. Tentu ia sudah letih," kata istrinya.

"He went to help hoe Mak Mariamin's rice field. There was no school today because it was a holiday. So he went to Sipirok this morning and only returned this evening. He must certainly be tired," said his wife.

"Menolong Mariamin?"

"Helping Mariamin?"

kata suaminya perlahan-lahan, karena adalah yang dipikirkannya.

her husband murmured, for something had begun to occupy his thoughts.

"Ehm, ehm, baik benar hati anak kita itu kepada ibu Mariamin. Apakah maknanya itu?"

"Ahem, ahem. Our child seems remarkably devoted to Mariamin's mother. I wonder what that means?"

"Apalah maknanya? Tak ada... hanya ia merasa rapat hatinya kepada mamaknya. Bukankah mereka itu kaum kita juga? Adinda amat setuju dan memuji perbuatan anak kita itu. Sungguhpun ia muda, tetapi telah tua pikirannya, ia telah mempunyai perasaan kepada mereka yang dalam kemiskinan itu. Tiadalah sebagai kakanda! Bukankah mendiang Sutan Baringin saudara kandungku, ipar kandung kakanda dan mamak Aminu'ddin? Apakah sebabnya kakanda tidak melihat-lihat sawah mereka itu, sejak sepeninggal saudaraku? Tiadakah kakanda menaruh perasaan iba? Udin mempunyai kasihan, itulah sebabnya ia menolong mamaknya."

"What could it mean? Nothing at all... He simply feels close to his maternal uncle. After all, they are members of our own clan, are they not? I wholeheartedly approve of and admire what our child has done. Although he is young, he is mature in his thinking, and he already feels compassion for those living in poverty. Unlike you, my dear! Was not the late Sutan Baringin my own brother, your brother-in-law, and Aminu'ddin's maternal uncle? Why have you never looked after their rice fields since my brother passed away? Do you feel no pity for them? Udin feels compassion for them; that is why he helps his uncle."

Mendengar itu suaminya tinggal diam, dia tiada marah mendapat umpatan itu.

Hearing this, her husband remained silent. He was not angered by her reproach.

"Apakah maksud perkataan adinda, melihat-lihat sawah mereka itu?"

"What exactly do you mean when you say I should look after their rice fields?"

"Kakanda tiada tahu maksud adinda? Melihat-lihat sawah mereka itu, artinya menolong mereka itu mengerjakan sawah, karena kalau sawah mereka itu tiada dicangkul dan ditanami, apalah yang akan dimakan mereka itu bertiga beranak? Sekarang orang sudah hampir menanam padi, akan tetapi sawah mereka belum habis dicangkul. Tiadakah kakanda menaruh kasihan kepada anak dan istri saudaraku itu?"

"Do you not understand what I mean? Looking after their rice fields means helping them work the land, for if their fields are not hoed and planted, what will the three of them have to eat? Everyone is nearly ready to plant their rice now, yet their fields have not even been fully hoed. Do you feel no pity for my brother's wife and child?"

tanya istrinya.

his wife asked.

Suaminya termenung, ia teringat hal iparnya, Sutan Baringin, pada waktu hidupnya.

Her husband fell into thought, remembering his brother-in-law, Sutan Baringin, and the days when he was alive.

Sutan Baringin seorang yang terbilang hartawan lagi bangsawan seantero penduduk Sipirok.

Sutan Baringin had been one of the wealthiest and most distinguished noblemen among all the inhabitants of Sipirok.

Akan tetapi karena ia sangat suka beperkara, maka harta yang banyak itu habis, sawah dan kerbau terjual, akan penutup ongkos-ongkos perkara, akhir-akhirnya... jatuh miskin, sedang yang dicarinya dalam perkara itu tiada seberapa, bila dibandingkan dengan kerugiannya.

But because he was so fond of litigation, all that great wealth was squandered. His rice fields and buffaloes were sold to cover the costs of his lawsuits, and in the end... he fell into poverty, while whatever he gained from those cases was insignificant compared with his losses.

Seorang asisten residen yang sudah lama memerintah di Padangsidempuan, ibu negeri Sipirok, berkata di hadapan orang banyak,

An assistant resident who had governed Padangsidempuan, the capital of the Sipirok district, for many years once said before a large gathering,

"Kalau ada perselisihan kamu di kampung tentang sawah atau harta benda peninggalan orang tuamu atau hal yang lain, lebih baiklah kamu putuskan saja perselisihan itu dengan jalan damai. Sekali-kali jangan terburu-buru membawa perselisihan itu ke hadapan pengadilan, supaya jangan menjadi perkara. Jangan, jangan, nanti kamu menyesal di belakang hari. Ingatlah nasihatku ini! Siapa yang menang perkara menjadi bara, dan yang kalah menjadi abu."

"If you have a dispute in your village over rice fields, property inherited from your parents, or anything else, it is far better to settle it peacefully. Never be in a hurry to take such disputes before a court and turn them into lawsuits. Do not do it, do not! You will regret it later. Remember my advice! The one who wins a lawsuit becomes an ember, and the one who loses becomes ashes."

Berapa kali Sutan Baringin dilarang istrinya, supaya berhenti dari pada beperkara, tetapi tiada juga diindahkannya.

Time and again, Sutan Baringin's wife urged him to stop bringing lawsuits, but he paid no heed to her.

Ia kalah di pengadilan yang rendah, pergi lagi ke pengadilan yang lebih tinggi, yaitu di Padang.

When he lost in the lower court, he took his case to the higher court in Padang.

Kalah di sana, minta banding lagi ke pengadilan tinggi di Jakarta.

When he lost there, he appealed again to the High Court in Jakarta.

Itu semua karena ia mendengar hasutan orang yang hendak mencelakakan dia, karena orang itu hendak mencari upah daripadanya.

All this happened because he listened to the incitements of people who wanted to ruin him, simply because they wished to extract money from him.

Upah menulis surat, upah mengarang rekes, upah ini, upah itu, karena orang itu manusia yang... entah, masuk manusia apa manusia semacam itu.

They charged him for writing letters, for composing petitions, and for this service or that, because such people are... well, who knows what kind of human beings they really are.

Di negeri kecil orang menamai mereka itu pokrol bambu.

In small towns, people call them bamboo lawyers.

Lagak dan cakapnya sebagai orang yang pandai, yang ahli dalam ilmu hakim, akan tetapi pengetahuannya tiada suatu apa, ibarat gendang, kalau dipalu, keras suaranya, dibelah, tak ada isinya.

They carry themselves and speak as though they were learned experts in the law, yet they know absolutely nothing. They are like drums: when struck, they make a loud noise, but when split open, they are found to be hollow.

Kemalanganlah yang menimpa barang siapa yang pcrcaya kepada orang yang macam itu.

Misfortune awaits anyone who puts their trust in such people.

Kalau ada perselisihan, selesaikanlah dengan jalan damai, panggil orang tua-tua sekampung, mereka itu nanti memutuskannya dengan baik.

Whenever a dispute arises, settle it peacefully. Call upon the village elders, and they will find a fair resolution.

Kerugian tiada berapa, pikiran tiada susah dan kita kembali hidup damai.

The loss will be small, there will be no great anxiety, and we can return to living in peace.

Inilah untung yang teramat besar di dunia dan akhirat.

This is the greatest benefit, both in this world and the hereafter.

Perhatikanlah, hai saudara-saudaraku!

Take heed, my brothers!

Sutan Baringin menutup telinganya, tiada hendak mendengarkan kata istrinya, meskipun beberapa kali perempuan yang baik itu mengingatkan suaminya.

Sutan Baringin closed his ears to his wife's words, refusing to listen, although that good woman had warned him time and again.

Segala bujuk dan nasihat, yang diucapkan istrinya, sia-sia saja, sebagai batu jatuh ke lubuk.

All her pleading and advice were in vain, like a stone falling into the depths of a well.

Si suami menurut nasihat pokrol bambu juga.

The husband continued to follow the advice of the bamboo lawyers.

Istri yang baik itu tiada putus as-a.

That good wife did not give up hope.

Ia mengumpulkan kaum keluarganya; Ayah Aminu'ddin, kepala kampung A, pun turutlah.

She gathered together her relatives, including Aminu'ddin's father, the headman of Village A.

Maksud ibu yang mulia itu: perkataannya sendiri ditolak suaminya; kalau semua kaumnya bersama-sama memberi petuah yang baik, barangkali suaminya ada segan melaluinya.

The noble woman's intention was this: her husband had rejected her own advice, but perhaps he would hesitate to disregard it if all their relatives joined together to offer him sound counsel.

Akan tetapi apakah kesudahannya?

But what was the outcome?

Sekalian ikhtiar istrinya itu siasia.

All his wife's efforts were in vain.

Suaminya tinggal menegangkan urat lehernya.

Her husband only grew more stubborn and defiant.

Pengajaran setan manusia yang berlidah petah itu sudah masuk benar ke hatinya, dan matanya pun tak melihat lagi, bagaimana kesudahan perbuatannya itu di belakang hari.

The devilish counsel of those smooth-tongued men had taken deep root in his heart, and he could no longer see what consequences his actions would bring in the future.

Akan mengerasi dan memaksa suaminya itu tak berani perempuan yang berhati lemah-lembut itu, karena amatlah hormatnya kepada suaminya itu.

That gentle-hearted woman did not dare to be harsh with her husband or force him to do anything, for she held him in the greatest respect.

Memberi ingat suami pun tiada berani lagi ia, sejak Sutan Baringin membentak dia dengan perkataan,

She no longer dared even to remind her husband of his responsibilities, ever since Sutan Baringin had shouted at her, saying,

"Diam kau; perempuan tiada patut mencampuri perkara laki-laki; dapur sajalah bagianmu!"

"Be quiet! A woman has no business meddling in men's affairs; the kitchen is your proper place!"

"Sesal dahulu pendapatan, sesal kemudian tak berguna, Angkang," jawab istrinya perlahan-lahan; takut ia kalau-kalau darah suaminya itu naik.

"It is better to regret beforehand than afterwards, when regret is useless, Angkang," his wife replied softly, afraid of provoking her husband's anger.

Akan tetapi ia mengucapkan perkataan itu.dengan suara yang sedih dan air mata berhamburan, karena terasalah olehnya, kemelaratan yang akan menimpa mereka anakberanak kelak.

But she spoke those words in a sorrowful voice, with tears streaming down her face, for she could already sense the poverty that would one day befall her and her children.

"Kakanda, ingatlah perkataan adinda! Tiadakah kakanda menaruh kasihan kepada anak kita yang dua orang ini?"

"My dear husband, please remember what I have said! Have you no pity for our two children?"

"Diam! Perempuan apakah engkau?"

"Silence! What kind of woman are you?"

sahut suaminya dengan muka yang merah, seraya ia berdiri; lalu pergi ke luar.

her husband retorted, his face red with anger, as he rose and stormed out.

Si ibu memandang anaknya yang menyusu di pangkuannya, sedang air matanya bercucuran ke atas kepala anak yang hendak tertidur itu.

The mother gazed at the child nursing in her lap, while her tears fell onto the head of the little one who was drifting off to sleep.

Hatinya hancur sebagai kaca terempas ke batu, memikirkan nasib mereka itu di belakang hari.

Her heart shattered like glass dashed against a stone as she thought about what the future held for them.

"Menangiskah Ibuku?"

"Is my mother crying?"

tanya Mariamin, yang baru datang dari sawah, lalu ia memeluk dan mencium kedua belah pipi ibunya yang dicintainya itu.

asked Mariamin, who had just returned from the rice fields. She then embraced her beloved mother and kissed both her cheeks.

"Wahai... biji mataku, bagaimanakah nasibmu di belakang hari," kata ibunya mengeluh, lalu ia berdiri akan menidurkan anak yang disusukannya itu ke bilik tempat tidurnya.

"Oh... my precious child, what will become of you in the years to come?" her mother sighed. Then she rose to carry the child she had been nursing to the bedroom and put her to sleep.

Siapakah lawan Sutan Baringin dalam perkara itu?

Who was Sutan Baringin's opponent in that lawsuit?

Sebagaimana diceritakan di atas Sutan Baringin itu beripar dengan ayah Aminu'ddin, yang tinggalnya tiada berapa jauh dari Sipirok.

As mentioned earlier, Sutan Baringin was the brother-in-law of Aminu'ddin's father, who lived not far from Sipirok.

Jalannya mereka itu bertali, yakni ibu Aminu'ddin adik kandung Sutan Baringin.

Their relationship was through blood: Aminu'ddin's mother was Sutan Baringin's own younger sister.

Jadi Aminu'ddin memanggil Sutan Baringin tulang (artinya mamak) dan kepada ibu Mariamin nantulang (artinya ina tulang = istri mamak).

Thus Aminu'ddin called Sutan Baringin *tulang* (meaning maternal uncle) and Mariamin's mother *nantulang* (meaning the wife of one's maternal uncle).

Menurut adat orang di negeri itu (Batak) seharusnyalah bagi Aminu'ddin menyebut Mariamin adik (anggi bahasa Batak) dan perkawinan antara anak muda yang serupa itu amat disukai orang tua kedua belah pihak.

According to the customs of the people of that region (the Batak), Aminu'ddin should address Mariamin as his younger sister (*anggi* in the Batak language), and marriages between young people related in this way were greatly favoured by the parents on both sides.

"Tali perkauman bertambah kuat," kata orang di kampungkampung.

"The bonds of kinship grow stronger," as people in the villages would say.

Barangkali perkawinan yang serupa itu, tiada biasa di tempat lain.

Perhaps marriages of this kind are uncommon in other places.

"Lain padang lain belalang, lain tanah lain lembaganya," kata peribahasa.

"Different fields have different grasshoppers, and different lands have different customs," as the proverb says.

Sutan Baringin ialah seorang yang berharta; sawah-sawahnya yang lebar itu mendatangkan keuntungan yang banyak kepadanya.

Sutan Baringin was a wealthy man; his extensive rice fields brought him considerable profits.

Tiadalah ia payah dan susah membajak dan menanami tanahnya yang subur itu; habis tahun ia menerima untung yang bersih, yaitu sebagian dari padi hasil sawahnya, yang diusahakan orang lain; biasanya dua perlima bagian yang punya sawah.

He had no need to trouble himself with ploughing or planting his fertile land. At the end of each year, he received his net profit in the form of a share of the rice harvested from his fields, which were cultivated by others; the landowner usually received two-fifths of the crop.

Sejak orang tuanya meninggal dunia dan ia telah beristri, ia hidup dalam kesenangan, atau lebih baik dikatakan dalam kekayaan, karena tiada selamanya orang kaya bersenang hati.

Ever since his parents had died and he had married, he had lived comfortably—or, more accurately, in wealth, for rich people are not always happy.

Anaknya dua orang; yang sulung perempuan berumur enam tahun, dan yang bungsu laki-laki yang masih menyusu.

He had two children: the elder was a six-year-old girl, and the younger was a boy who was still nursing.

Anak perempuannya itu bernama Mariamin dan ringkasan namanya Riam.

His daughter was named Mariamin, shortened to Riam.

Anak itu seorang anak yang elok parasnya.

The child was exceedingly beautiful.

Akan tetapi kecantikan rupanya itu belumlah nampak dengan terangnya, karena ia masih kecil, ibarat bunga yang belum kembang.

Yet her beauty had not fully revealed itself, for she was still very young, like a flower that had not yet blossomed.

Jadi kecantikannya itu belum ke luar, masih tersembunyi dipalut oleh tajuk bunga yang kuncup itu.

Her beauty had not yet come into full bloom, remaining hidden beneath the petals of that unopened flower.

Tapi sungguhpun demikian, barang siapa yang melihat anak itu, tentu ia mengaku, kecantikan Mariamin bertambah lagi, dan romannya pun makin elok, yakni bila bunga yang kuncup itu sudah kembang dan sekalian bagian-bagiannya yang tertutup itu nampak dengan nyatanya, pendeknya bila anak gadis itu besar dan ia mencapai potongan badannya yang secukupnya.

Nevertheless, anyone who saw the child would surely admit that Mariamin's beauty would grow even greater and her appearance become more charming once that unopened flower had blossomed and all its hidden features had been revealed—in short, when the girl had grown up and her figure had fully developed.

Lihatlah warna kulitnya yang jernih dan bersih itu, putih kuning sebagai kulit langsat!

Look at her clear, flawless complexion, its pale golden hue like the skin of a langsat fruit!

Matanya yang berkilat-kilat serta dengan terang itu, menunjukkan kepada kita, bahwa anak itu mempunyai tabiat pengasih.

Her bright, sparkling eyes revealed that the child had a loving and affectionate nature.

Pada bibirnya yang tipis dan merah itu selamanya terbayang senyum yang manis.

A sweet smile always seemed to linger upon her thin, red lips.

Jika ia berkata-kata atau tertawa- tawa, tampaklah giginya yang putih dan halus, berkilat--kilat sebagai mutiara.

Whenever she spoke or laughed, her fine, white teeth gleamed like pearls.

Kalau diamat-amati roman anak dara itu, tampaklah di mata, air mukanya yang hening dan jernih, suci dan bersih, sebagai seri gunung waktu matahari akan terbenam adanya.

If one studied the young girl's face closely, one could see its serene and radiant expression, pure and unblemished, like the beauty of the mountains at sunset.

Pendeknya makin lama mata memandang dia, makin heran hati melihat kecantikan parasnya, barangkali timbul lagi pikiran mengatakan,

In short, the longer one gazed at her, the more astonished one became at her beauty, until one might even begin to think:

"Tak benarlah budak ini anak manusia, barangkali keturunan bidadari jua, yang menjelma ke dunia ini."

"Surely this child cannot be human; perhaps she is descended from heavenly nymphs who have taken human form in this world."

Setelah Mariamin berumur tujuh tahun, ia pun diserahkan orang tuanya ke sekolah.

When Mariamin reached the age of seven, her parents sent her to school.

Meskipun ibu-bapaknya orang kampung saja, tahu jugalah mereka itu, bahwa anak-anak perempuan pun harus juga di sekolahkan.

Although her parents were simple village folk, they understood that girls, too, ought to receive an education.

Ia harus tahu membaca dan menulis, mengira dan berhitung, sebagaimana teman-temannya anak lakilaki.

She should learn to read and write, as well as to do arithmetic and calculations, just like her male classmates.

Bukan maksudnya supaya kepintarannya yang menyamai laki-laki, tetapi sepatutnyalah ia mempunyai badan yang segar dan pikiran yang tajam dan cerdas.

The intention was not necessarily to make her as clever as a man, but rather to ensure that she developed a healthy body and a sharp, intelligent mind.

Akan memperoleh semua yang amat berguna itu, tentu anak-anak itu jangan dipaksa saja tinggal di rumah, akan tetapi haruslah ia diserahkan ke sekolah, akan belajar kepandaian yang berguna baginya pada hari kemudian akan membukakan pikirannya, supaya ia kelak menjadi ibu yang cakap dan pintar, lebih-lebih dalam hal memelihara rumah tangganya.

To acquire all these valuable qualities, children should not simply be kept at home; they must be sent to school to learn useful skills that will serve them in later life and broaden their minds, so that one day they may become capable and intelligent mothers, especially in managing their households.

Tambahan pula sekolah itu bukan tempat mencari ilmu saja, tetapi adat lembaga dan kesopanan pun diajarkan juga kepada anakanak, yang berfaedah baginya di hari besarnya.

Moreover, schools are not merely places for acquiring knowledge; children are also taught customs, proper conduct, and good manners, all of which will benefit them when they grow up.

Bukankah anak-anak itu, manusia yang nanti menggantikan orang tuanya mendiami bumi ini?

After all, are not children the people who will one day take their parents' place in inhabiting this earth?

Mariamin anak yang cantik itu, duduk sekarang di kelas dua dan Aminu'ddin di kelas empat.

Mariamin, that beautiful little girl, was now in the second grade, while Aminu'ddin was in the fourth.

Kalau murid-murid sudah ke luar, kedua budak itu sama-sama pulang ke rumahnya, yang kirakira sepal jauhnya dari rumah sekolah.

When school was dismissed, the two children would walk home together, for their house was about a mile from the school.

Akan tetapi Aminu'ddin harus berjalan kaki lagi ke kampungnya, yaitu tengah dua pal jauhnya dari Sipirok.

But Aminu'ddin still had to walk on foot to his own village, which was about two and a half miles from Sipirok.

Waktu pukul tujuh pagi Mariamin sudah sedia di hadapan rumahnya menantikan Aminu'ddin, supaya mereka itu sama-sama pergi ke sekolah.

At seven o'clock in the morning, Mariamin was already waiting in front of her house for Aminu'ddin, so that they could walk to school together.

Masingmasing menyukai temannya dan amatlah karibnya persahabatan kedua anak itu.

Each was very fond of the other, and the friendship between the two children was exceedingly close.

Itu tiada mengherankan, karena seorang memandang yang lain sebagai dirinya, sebab mereka itu berkarib, yakni emak yang seorang bersaudara seibu-sebapak dengan ayah yang lain.

This was hardly surprising, for each regarded the other as part of themselves. They were close relatives: one child's mother and the other's father were full siblings.

Oleh sebab itu adalah perasaan mereka itu sebagai bersaudara kandung.

For this reason, they felt towards each other as though they were brother and sister.

Lagi pula bagaimana rapatnya orang berkaum, dapatlah dilihat di antara orang-orang kampung.

Indeed, the closeness of people belonging to the same clan can readily be seen among the villagers.

Amatlah jauh perbedaannya dengan orang hidup di pesisir atau negeri ramai, yang hanya berkaum di mulut, sebagai biasa dikatakan orang.

They were very different from people living in coastal regions or bustling towns, who, as the saying goes, are related only in name.

Lain daripada itu ada lagi tali lain yang mengikat hati kedua anak itu, yaitu: sifat dan tabiat mereka yang bersamaan.

Besides this, another bond united the hearts of the two children: their similar personalities and dispositions.

Seperti yang sudah diceritakan, Mariamin bertabiat pengiba, Aminu'ddin pun demikian juga, hanya saja tiada sama jangkanya.

As already mentioned, Mariamin was compassionate by nature, and Aminu'ddin was the same, although their compassion differed in degree.

Mariamin seorang anak perempuan, sudah tentu lebih pengiba dari Aminu ddin, seorang anak laki-laki.

Mariamin was a girl, and naturally she was more tender-hearted than Aminu'ddin, who was a boy.

Karena menilik kebiasaannya adalah perempuan itu lebih halus perasaannya, sedang laki-laki itu lebih keras hatinya.

For, generally speaking, women are more sensitive in their feelings, whereas men tend to be harder-hearted.

Umpamanya seorang perempuan tiada akan menolak suaminya, yang meminta ampun akan kesalahannya, meskipun bagaimana sekali besarnya dosa laki-laki itu kepada istrinya.

For example, a woman will not refuse to forgive her husband when he begs pardon for his wrongdoing, no matter how great his offence against her may have been.

Penanggungan perempuan yang sakit, aniaya suaminya yang bengis, dilupakannya, bila ia melihat suaminya meminta ampun di hadapannya.

She forgets the suffering she has endured and the cruelty and abuse inflicted by her husband when she sees him begging her forgiveness.

Kadang-kadang dengan air mata yang berhamburan, sebab kesedihan hatinya bercampur dengan sukacitanya, karena kecintaan suaminya kepadanya telah hidup kembali, maka ia mendekap dan memeluk suaminya, seraya berkata,

Sometimes, with tears streaming down her face, her sorrow mingling with her joy, for her husband's love for her has been rekindled, she clasps him in her arms and embraces him, saying,

"Syukurlah. Mudahmudahan Allah mengampuni dosa kita."

"Thank God. May Allah forgive our sins."

Akan tetapi tiada jarang kejadian seorang laki-laki memandang istri yang bersalah kepadanya, sebagai musuh besar, meskipun perempuan itu berlutut dan membasahi kaki suaminya dengan air matanya akan meminta ampun atas kesalahan yang diperbuatnya dalam pikiran yang sesat itu.

Yet it is not uncommon for a man to regard his wife, who has wronged him, as his bitterest enemy, even when she kneels before him, wetting his feet with her tears as she begs forgiveness for the offence she committed in a moment of foolishness.

Kerap kali laki-laki itu menerjang kepala istrinya dengan kakinya yang basah oleh air mata itu, seraya berkata dengan mata yang merah,

Often, the man kicks his wife in the head with the very feet she has bathed in tears, saying with bloodshot eyes,

"Nyah engkau, perempuan celaka?"

"Get away from me, you wretched woman!"

Aminu'ddin anak yang bijaksana, adat dan kelakuannya baik dan halus budi bahasanya.

Aminu'ddin was a wise child, well-mannered in his conduct and gentle and courteous in his speech.

Oleh sebab itu Mariamin pun amatlah suka bercampur dengan dia dan ia amat suka mendengar cerita-cerita Aminu'ddin, yang diceritakannya, bila mereka itu tengah berjalan pulang atau pergi ke sekolah atau ketika mereka itu bersama-sama di sawah, karena sawah orang tua mereka itu berwawasan.

For this reason, Mariamin greatly enjoyed his company and loved listening to Aminu'ddin's stories, which he would tell as they walked to and from school or when they were together in the rice fields, since their parents' fields lay next to each other.

Aminu'ddin pun gemar juga mengajak angginya itu berkata-kata, karena amatlah setuju ia akan tertib dan budi anak gadis yang kecil itu.

Aminu'ddin, too, enjoyed talking with his little female cousin, for he greatly admired the young girl's good manners and gentle character.

Mariamin pun menghormati dan menyayangi dia dengan sebenar-benarnya.

Mariamin, in turn, respected and loved him sincerely.

Kalau hari hujan tiadalah ia membiarkan Aminu'ddin pulang ke rumahnya; ia selalu berkata,

Whenever it rained, she would never let Aminu'ddin go home without first taking shelter. She would always say,

"Singgahlah angkang dahulu, menantikan hujan ini teduh, lagi nasi pun sudah sedia untuk kita, karena mak tahu juga, angkang tak dapat pulang ke kampung dalam hujan begini."

"Come inside first, dear cousin, and wait until the rain lets up. There is already rice prepared for us, and Mother knows you cannot make your way back to the village in weather like this."

"Ah, biarlah saya terus, hujan tiada berapa, kalau saya berhenti, tentu saya pulang sendiri; eloklah ramai-ramai dengan kawan-kawan," sahut Aminu'ddin.

"Oh, let me go on. The rain is not very heavy. If I stop here, I shall have to make the rest of the journey alone. It is better to travel together with my friends," Aminu'ddin replied.

Akan tetapi angginya itu bukan anak yang mudah kalah bercakap.

But his little cousin was not one to be easily outtalked.

Dengan segera ia memegang tangan Aminu'ddin, seraya berkata,

She quickly took Aminu'ddin by the hand and said,

"Ah, tak baik begitu, nanti angkang sakit sebagai dahulu, karena ditimpa hujan, bukankah orang tua kita yang susah? Saya kawani nanti pulang, kalau angkang tak suka berjalan sendiri."

"Oh, you shouldn't do that. You'll fall ill again, just as you did before when you got caught in the rain. Wouldn't that only make our parents worry? I'll accompany you home later if you don't want to walk alone."

Sudan tentu Aminu'ddin tak dapat menolak ajakan adiknya itu, karena mamaknya sudah memanggil namanya dari dalam rumah.

Of course, Aminu'ddin could not refuse his little cousin's invitation, especially since his uncle had already called his name from inside the house.

Percakapan mereka itu telah kedengaran oleh Sutan Baringin; sebab itulah ia ke luar mengajak kemanakannya itu masuk ke dalam dan Aminu'ddin sudah tentu segan melewati rumah mamaknya itu.

Sutan Baringin had overheard their conversation. That was why he came outside and invited his nephew in. Aminu'ddin, naturally, was too respectful to pass by his uncle's house without going in.

Demikianlah halnya, maka ia beberapa kali bercampur gaul dengan Mariamin.

And so it came about that he often spent time with Mariamin.

Dari sekolah, waktu pulang ke A, di sawah, di situlah mereka itu bersama-sama, tiada ubahnya sebagai orang yang kakakberadik.

They were together on the way home from school, on their journeys back to A, and out in the rice fields, behaving just like a brother and sister.

Karena menilik umur pun adalah demikian rupanya, karena sekarang genaplah umur Mariamin delapan dan Aminu'ddin sebelas tahun.

Their ages, too, made this seem quite natural, for Mariamin was now exactly eight years old and Aminu'ddin eleven.

Pada suatu petang, sedang mereka di sawah, Mariamin menyiangi padinya, supaya padi itu subur tumbuhnya, Aminu'ddin pun memanggil dari watas sawah mereka itu,

One afternoon, while they were in the rice fields and Mariamin was weeding the rice so that it might grow well, Aminu'ddin called to her from the edge of their field,

"Riam, marilah kita pulang ke kampung, nanti kita dihambat hujan."

"Riam, let us go back to the village. Otherwise, the rain will catch us on the way."

"Saya tengah menyudahkan bengkalai yang tak habis semalam, biarlah kuhabiskan dahulu pekerjaan ini, supaya hatiku senang. Lagi pula matahari belum ruyup benar; tunggulah sebentar," kata Mariamin, lalu ia meneruskan pekerjaannya itu dengan rajinnya.

"I'm just finishing the work I left unfinished yesterday. Let me complete it first, so that I can have peace of mind. Besides, the sun hasn't quite set yet. Wait a little," said Mariamin, then diligently resumed her work.

"Ayo, marilah kita pulang, Riam! Pekerjaan itu boleh disudahkan besok," sahut Aminu'ddin, seraya menghampiri tempat adiknya bekerja itu.

"Come on, let's go home, Riam! You can finish that work tomorrow," Aminu'ddin replied, walking over to where his little cousin was working.

"Tengoklah matahari tak nampak lagi, karena telah disaputi awan yang hitam. Baiklah kita pulang ke rumah, sebentar lagi hujan akan turun dengan lebatnya, lagi amat panasnya sehari ini, sehingga kepalaku serasa dipanggang."

"Look, the sun is no longer visible; it has been covered by dark clouds. We'd better go home. The rain will soon come down in torrents. And it's been so terribly hot today that my head feels as though it's being roasted."

"Lama lagi hujan akan turun, barangkali nanti malam. Bagaimanapun lekasnya, saya sempat lagi menyiapkan pekerjaanku yang terbengkalai ini, tak banyak lagi," jawab Mariamin.

"It will be a long time before it rains, perhaps not until tonight. However soon it comes, I'll still have time to finish this neglected work. There isn't much left," Mariamin replied.

Dan dengan suara yang ramah ia berkata pula,

Then, in a friendly voice, she added,

"Barangkali angkang bosan menunggu saya, eloklah angkang pergi duduk-duduk ke pondok itu!"

"Perhaps you're tired of waiting for me, dear cousin. Why don't you go and sit in that hut for a while?"

Aminu'ddin berdiri juga, tiada tentu pikirannya.

Aminu'ddin remained standing, unsure what to do.

Akan tetapi sebab sahabatnya itu hendak menyudahkan pekerjaan juga, terpaksalah ia menurutkan kesukaan Mariamin itu. la pun menyingsingkan lengan bajunya, lalu masuk ke sawah tempat adiknya bekerja itu, karena ia mengerti apa maksud perkataan Mariamin yang akhir itu, lagi pula selalu ia bersuka hati menolong temannya itu pada sebarang hal; barangkali karena ibanya atau kasihnya.

But since his companion was determined to finish her work, he had no choice but to go along with Mariamin's wishes. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the rice field where his little cousin was working. He understood what she had meant by her last remark. Besides, he was always glad to help her with anything, perhaps out of pity or affection.

Ia pun berkata seraya menghampiri anak perempuan itu,

As he approached the girl, he said,

"Sebenarnya saya sudah letih, Riam, tengoklah beratnya pekerjaan itu, tetapi...."

"To tell the truth, I'm already tired, Riam. Just look how hard that work is, but..."

"Saya pun tahu juga, angkang sudah payah; itulah sebabnya angkang kusuruh pergi berhenti ke pondok itu," kata Mariamin dengan lekas mendahului perkataan Aminu'ddin.

"I know you're tired, dear cousin. That's why I told you to go and rest in the hut," Mariamin said quickly, cutting Aminu'ddin off before he could finish.

"Tetapi kalau laki-laki biasa juga letih oleh pekerjaan, bagaimanakah perempuan, manusia yang lebih lemah, yang tiada mempunyai daya dan kekuatan sebagai lakilaki?"

"But if a man can grow tired from work, what of a woman, a weaker creature who does not have the same strength and power as a man?"

Aminu'ddin terdiam sebentar, ia tiada meneruskan perkataannya.

Aminu'ddin fell silent for a moment and did not continue what he had been saying.

Dengan rajinnya ia terus menyiangi sawah itu bersaina-sama dengan adiknya itu.

Diligently, he continued weeding the rice field alongside his little cousin.

Sejurus panjang lamanya maka ia pun berkata,

After they had worked together for quite some time, he spoke again,

"Riam, rupanya kau memandang laki-laki itu manusia yang tinggi dari perempuan?"