When Alaeddin heard these words of his uncle the Maugrabin, to
wit, that it was his intent to make him a merchant, [FN#191] a
trader, [FN#192] he rejoiced exceedingly, well knowing that all
merchants' apparel is neat and elegant; [FN#193] so he looked at
the Maugrabin and smiled and bowed his head, as who should say,
"I am content." The [FN#194] magician, seeing him smile, knew that
he was content to be a merchant and said to him, "Since thou art
content that I should make thee a merchant and open thee a shop,
be a man, O son of my brother, and to-morrow, God willing, I will
take thee first to the market and let cut thee an elegant suit of
clothes such as merchants wear; and after that I will look thee
out a shop and perform my promise to thee." Now Alaeddin's mother
was in some little doubt as to the Maugrabin; but, when she heard
his promise to her son that he would open him a shop as a
merchant with stuffs and capital and what not else, she concluded
that he was in very deed her brother-in-law, inasmuch as a
stranger would not do thus with her son. So she fell to
admonishing her son and exhorting him to put away ignorance and
folly from his head and be a man, and bade him still yield
obedience to his uncle, as he were his father, and apply himself
to make up the time which he had wasted in idleness [with] those
who were like him, after which she arose and laying the table,
spread the evening-meal and they all sat down and fell to eating
and drinking, whilst the Maugrabin talked with Alaeddin upon
matters of merchandry and the like. Then, when he saw that the
night was far spent, [FN#195] he arose and went to his lodging,
promising to return in the morning and take Alaeddin, so he might
let cut him a merchant's suit.

Alaeddin slept not that night for joy and when it was morning,