Sultan," replied the Vizier, "verily women are little of wit; and
most like this woman cometh to complain to thee of her husband or
one of her folk," The Sultan was not content with the Vizier's
reply, but bade him, an she came again to the Divan, bring her
before him forthright; [FN#359] whereupon the Vizier laid his hand
on his head and answered, "Hearkening and obedience, O our lord
the Sultan."

Meanwhile, [FN#360] Alaeddin's mother, albeit she was grown
exceeding weary and dejected, yet made light of all weariness,
for her son's sake, and continued, as of her wont, to go every
court-day and stand in the Divan before the Sultan. [FN#361]
Accordingly, one day of the days, she went to the Divan, as of
her wont, and stood before the Sultan; and when he saw her, he
called his Vizier and said to him, "Yonder is the woman of whom I
bespoke thee yesterday; bring her now before me, so I may see
what her suit is and accomplish unto her her occasion." So the
Vizier arose forthright and let bring Alaeddin's mother in before
the Sultan. When she came into the latter's presence, she made
her obeisance to him and did him reverence, wishing him glory and
continuance and eternity of prosperity and kissing the ground
before him. Then said he to her, "O woman, I see thee come every
day to the Divan and thou speakest not of aught. Tell me an thou
have a want, that I may accomplish it unto thee;" whereupon she
kissed the earth a second time and called down blessings upon
him, then answered, "Ay, O King of the Age, as thy head liveth, I
have indeed a want; but before all things do thou give me thine
assurance, [FN#362] so I may make bold to prefer my suit to the
hearing of our lord the Sultan, for that belike Thy Grace will
find it a strange one."