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returned home and telling his mother [what had passed], gave her the two dinars 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[1] is ready and maybe thine 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
- ↑ El asha. Burton, “the meat.”
