The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 19's

Three weeks later.

After breakfast, Robin and Robert did not go toying on deck or in the cabin. Temporary school has been started since the ship left the port of Labuan.

Captain Diego vacated a room used for meetings, now turned into a study class. There is not much to fix from the room. The chairs were already tightly arranged, there was already a blackboard. They just get rid of the cabinets and equipment of the ship so that the room is wider.

Twelve children started school while they were on board, wearing only neat clothes. There is no class division, all children are made one. Because of the good news, experienced teachers handle children of different ages.

Two teachers taught. One was named Mr. Hatta and the other was named Mr. Andipati. That morning the father of Hatta who was in charge of teaching, they took turns.

Although almost all the lessons taught Robin and Robert already know from the class of courses they get specifically. Both of them enjoyed their new activities.

Unlike Anna's mother who always wore bright clothes, their teacher was wearing neat clothes in the form of dark color trousers, and matching colored clothes, and pantofel shoes. Typical clothing among educated in those days.

Although only a temporary school, their teacher taught seriously. Each subject is ninety minutes each, already with a fifteen minute break.

Half-twelve o'clock the lesson is over.

"How's your school, sir?" Bi Siti asks as Robin and Robert run around, scrambling over who got into the cabin first.

"Aunty Seru."

"It's normal."

Robin and Robert are different.

"Seru how sir." Aunt Siti asked again, looking enthusiastic.

"Seru alone, have many friends." replied Robin.

Robert just shook his head, not responding to Robin's words. He wants to sit on the couch.

"Go buy medicine, she said Miss has long felt unwell."

"Sister sick?" Robin's interested, and Robert's behind him, "I'll go check."

"Master knows the place?"

"Tau, Aunt. On the back deck of the second floor." Answer Robin.

"But Mr__"

Aunt Siti had not had time to talk, Robin and Robert had already run to the cabin door. They haven't even changed their clothes yet.

There are so many parts of the ship that they have not visited, one of which is the dispensary. They had been curious to go there since Saleh had been in the back and forth buying medicine at that place.

The ship's pharmacy is located right next to the tailor's room. Robin and Robert had time to bend their heads peeking at the sewing room. Inside there the shelves are filled with various types of yarn, arranged neatly according to color. There is a bowl that contains many buttons of various sizes. In a large closet, stacked cloths that have not been used. There are some cabinets that already hang crew uniforms, suits, shirts and passenger clothes.

Medicijnmaker means drug room or dispensary.they finally found a small room. Robert first pushed the door of the dispensary made of wood.

"Have you finished your school?"

Mei seems to have bought the necessary medicine, in her hand there is already a crackle containing drugs.

Robin nodded, while engrossed in looking at the medicine room. It is no different from the dispensaries in Batavia. The room contained only a lot of medicines.

"What pain does he have?" Robin asked curiously.

Robin did not pay much attention to her brother's answer, as he was still busy paying attention to the contents of the medicine room. Unlike Robert who looked at his brother was suspicious, like something was hidden Mei.

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Until the afternoon of the trip. The weather is still as good, the waves are calm. After lunch in the cafeteria, children spend more time in their respective cabins because outside the hot sun like can burn jellyfish.

" Captain Diego invited Lady Mei De Houten to dinner." Said Lucas the headman, delivering the invitation letter into the cabin.

Robin standing behind her brother immediately exclaimed cheerfully.

"It's not you who's invited, Robin." May warned.

"Two young masters may come, Miss. Lucas smiled at the two boys while giving a thumbs up.

"Great, finally there's a banquet. I'm tired of eating local food all the time." Grumpy Robin.

Lucas laughed, "Don't forget Miss, at seventy-thirty, in the officer's dining room." Lucas reminded him, before he finally left.

"Aren't you the one who likes local food the most?" Robert asked after Lucas had come out.

"Well, I like it. I really like it, but I just want to eat Lobster, I hope for a little night there's a Lobster." Answer plain robin

Mei and Robert both shook their heads at Robin's reply.

Malamannya.

Five minutes before the dinner-sign whistle, seven o'clock past twenty-five minutes. Mei can't leave, her fever is getting higher. Mang Jajan who represented, although it had refused. Mang Jajan felt bad coming to the banquet of important people. But after May convinces, Mang Jajan finally leaves with Robin and Robert.

The dinner room was quite large. One large long table was in the middle with twelve neatly lined chairs facing each other. The room was already crowded when Mang Jajan, Robin, and Robert arrived.

Captain Diego wore a full captain's uniform, as well as several other ship's officers. Saleh was already there talking to Mr. Hatta and Mr. Andipati, all three of them wearing batik clothes.

Mang Jajan's worry was too much, after hearing if Mei was sick. Captain Diego invited him and his two masters to sit down. Robin and Robert sat down first politely, neatly. Although they were small, it was clear that they were well-educated nobles.

"I haven't eaten such a fancy meal in a long time, Captain. I've even forgotten how to properly hold a fork and knife." Saleh.

Captain Diego chuckled, "Too many mysteries about you, young man. But, I can make sure that you were just a joke."

Robin's words are answered, there's a lobster. Robin is trying to split two lobster shells impatiently. He tried hard, instead of succeeding, even the seasoning of the big lobster splashed his shirt. Saleh who sat nearby laughed, helping to open the lobster shell.

Robin chuckled, saying thanks. Robert nudged his sister's arm, "Don't be shy."

Robert glared, "Who is shy? I just want to eat a lobster.

The two older sisters were busy cooing each other

As the adults begin to engage in important conversations, Saleh seems uninterested. He tried to approach Mang Jajan, "May what pain Bang?"

Robin and Robert turned, "Fever." Answer them both in unison.