20
than if you gave him a formal invita-
tion. I will go and order Morgiana to pro-
vide a supper.
The next day, after dinner, Ali Baba's
son and Cogia Houssian met by appoint-
ment, and took their walk, and as they
returned, Ali Baba's son led Cogia Hous-
sian through the street where his father
lived; and when they came to the house, he
stopped and knocked at the door. This,
sir, said he, is my father's house ; who upon
the account I have given him of your friend-
ship, charged me to procure him the honour
of your acquaintance: and I desire you to
add this pleasure to those I am already in-
debted to you for.
The artful Cogia Houssian would not too
hạstily accept this invitation, but pretended
he was not fond of going into company, and
that he had business which demanded his pre-
sence at home. These excuses only made
Ali Baba's son the more eager to take him
to his father's house, and after repeated
solicitations, the merchant consented to sup
at Ali Baba's the following evening.
A most excellent supper was provided,
which Morgiana cooked in her best manner,
as was her usual custom, she carried in the
first dish herself. The moment she looked
at Cogia Houssian, she knew him to be the
pretended oil merchant. The prudent
