save of dolour for him. And I also am now in piteous plight: I
spin cotton and toil at my distaff, night and day, that I may
earn a couple of scones of bread which we eat together. This is
his condition, O my brother-in-law; and, by the life of thee, he
cometh not near me save at meal-times and none other. Indeed, I
am thinking to lock the house-door nor ever open to him again but
leave him to go and seek a livelihood whereby he can live, for
that I am now grown a woman in years and have no longer strength
to toil and go about for a maintenance after this fashion. O
Allah, I am compelled to provide him with daily bread when I
require to be provided!" Hereat the Moorman turned to Alaeddin
and said, "Why is this, O son of my brother, thou goest about in
such ungraciousness? 'tis a disgrace to thee and unsuitable for
men like thyself. Thou art a youth of sense, O my son, and the
child of honest folk, so 'tis for thee a shame that thy mother, a
woman in years, should struggle to support thee. And now that
thou hast grown to man's estate it becometh thee to devise thee
some device whereby thou canst live, O my child. Look around thee
and Alhamdolillah--praise be to Allah--in this our town are many
teachers of all manner of crafts and nowhere are they more
numerous; so choose thee some calling which may please thee to
the end that I establish thee therein; and, when thou growest up,
O my son, thou shalt have some business whereby to live. Haply
thy father's industry may not be to thy liking; and, if so it be,
choose thee some other handicraft which suiteth thy fancy; then
let me know and I will aid thee with all I can, O my son." But
when the Maghrabi saw that Alaeddin kept silence and made him no
reply, he knew that the lad wanted none other occupation than a
scapegrace-life, so he said to him, "O son of my brother, let not
my words seem hard and harsh to thee, for, if despite all I say,