him the way to their house; and the magician said to him, "O my
son, take these monies and give them to thy mother and salute her
on my behalf and tell her that thine uncle is come back from his
strangerhood; and God willing, to-morrow I will come visit you,
so I may salute her and look upon the house wherein my brother
dwelt and see where his tomb is." Alaeddin kissed his hand and
hastened home, running in his joy, to his mother and entered,
contrary to his wont, for that he was not used to go in to her
save at eating-times. So he went in to her, rejoicing, and said
to her, "O my mother, I bring thee glad news of my uncle, in that
he is come back from his absence, and he saluteth thee." "O my
son," quoth she, meseemeth thou makest mock of me. Who is thine
uncle and whence hast thou an uncle on life?" And he said to her,
"O my mother, why didst thou tell me that I had no uncles and no
kinsfolk on life? Indeed, this man is my uncle and he embraced me
and kissed me, weeping, and bade me tell thee of this." And she
answered him, saying, "Yes, O my son, I knew thou hadst an uncle,
but he is dead and I know not that thou hast a second uncle."

As [FN#166] for the Maugrabin enchanter, he went forth at dawn and
fell to searching for [FN#167] Alaeddin, for that he might not
brook parting from him; [FN#168] and as he went about in the
thoroughfares of the city, he came upon the lad, who was playing
with the vagabonds, as of his wont. So he went up to him and
taking him by the hand, embraced him and kissed him; then he
brought out of his purse two diners and said to Alaeddin, "Go to
thy mother and give her these two diners and say to her, 'My
uncle would fain sup with us; so take these two diners and make a
good supper.' But first show me once more the way to your house."
"On my head and eyes, O my uncle," answered Alaeddin and