sooth her husband's brother, seeing that no stranger man would do
such goodly deed by her son. So she began directing the lad to
the right road and teaching him to cast ignorance from out his
head and to prove himself a man; moreover she bade him ever obey
his excellent uncle as though he were his son and to make up for
the time he had wasted in frowardness with his fellows. After
this she arose and spread the table, then served up supper; so
all sat down and fell to eating and drinking, while the Maghrabi
conversed with Alaeddin upon matters of business and the like,
rejoicing him to such degree that he enjoyed no sleep that night.
But when the Moorman saw that the dark hours were passing by, and
the wine was drunken, he arose and sped to his own stead; but,
ere going, he agreed to return next morning and take Alaeddin and
look to his suit of merchant's clothes being cut out for him. And
as soon as it was dawn, behold, the Maghrabi rapped at the door
which was opened by Alaeddin's mother: the Moorman, however,
would not enter, but asked to take the lad with him to the
market-street. Accordingly Alaeddin went forth to his uncle and,
wishing him good morning, kissed his hand; and the Maroccan took
him by the hand and fared with him to the Bazar. There he entered
a clothier's shop containing all kinds of clothes and called for
a suit of the most sumptuous; whereat the merchant brought him
out his need, all wholly fashioned and ready sewn, and the
Moorman said to the lad, "Choose, O my child, whatso pleaseth
thee." Alaeddin rejoiced exceedingly seeing that his uncle had
given him his choice, so he picked out the suit most to his own
liking and the Maroccan paid to the merchant the price thereof in
ready money. Presently he led the lad to the Hammam-baths where
they bathed; then they came out and drank sherbets, after which
Alaeddin arose and, donning his new dress in huge joy and