jurgen was already humming to his plants a tune which had been hummed in the same way by his forefathers back through many generations , a hum that differed in tune from time to time but had always served to aid the avoidance of the advance of mutterings which challenged the integrity of his familys climb to the top , only now in the presence of his friend possibly his only friend , it was poignant because thomas had no subjective opposition to jurgen but took him to be a friend who he respected .