foregoing him, showed him the way to the house. Then the
Maugrabin left him and went his way, whilst Alaeddin returned
home and telling his mother [what had passed], gave her the two
diners and said to her, " My uncle would fain sup with us." So
she arose forthright and went out to the market, where she bought
all that was needful and returning home, borrowed of her
neighbours that which she required of platters and the like and
proceeded to make ready for supper.

When the time of the evening-meal came, she said to Alaeddin, " O
my son, the supper [FN#169] is ready and maybe shine uncle knoweth
not the way to the house. Go thou and meet him." And he answered
her with "Hearkening and obedience." But, whilst they were in
talk, behold, there came a knocking at the door; whereupon
Alaeddin went out and opening, found the Maugrabin enchanter, and
with him a slave bearing wine and fruits. So he brought them in
and the slave went his way, whilst the Maugrabin entered and
saluted Alaeddin's mother; then he fell a-weeping and said to
her, "Where is the place in which my brother was wont to sit?"
She pointed him to her husband's sitting-place, whereupon he went
thither and prostrating himself, fell to kissing the earth and
saying, "Alas, how scant is my delight and how sorry my fortune,
since I have lost thee, O my brother and apple [FN#170] of mine
eye!" And the abode on this wise, weeping and lamenting, till
Alaeddin's mother was certified that he was in earnest and that
he was like to swoon of the excess of his wailing and his
lamentation. So she came to him and raised him from the ground,
saying, "What profiteth it that thou shouldst kill thyself?"
And [FN#171] she proceeded to comfort him and made him sit down.