salute her and look upon the house wherein my brother dwelt and see where his tomb is.”  Alaeddin kissed his hand and hastened home, running in his joy, to his mother and entered, contrary to his wont, for that he was not used to go in to her save at eating-times.  So he went in to her, rejoicing, and said to her, “O my mother, I bring thee glad news of my uncle, in that he is come back from his absence, and he saluteth thee.”  “O my son,” quoth she, meseemeth thou makest mock of me.  Who is thine uncle and whence hast thou an uncle on life?” And he said to her, “O my mother, why didst thou tell me that I had no uncles and no kinsfolk on life?  Indeed, this man is my uncle and he embraced me and kissed me, weeping, and bade me tell thee of this.”  And she answered him, saying, “Yes, O my son, I knew thou hadst an uncle, but he is dead and I know not that thou hast a second uncle.”

As [FN#166] for the Maugrabin enchanter, he went forth at dawn and fell to searching for [FN#167] Alaeddin, for that he might not brook parting from him; [FN#168] and as he went about in the thoroughfares of the city, he came upon the lad, who was playing with the vagabonds, as of his wont.  So he went up to him and taking him by the hand, embraced him and kissed him; then he brought out of his purse two diners and said to Alaeddin, “Go to thy mother and give her these two diners and say to her, ’My uncle would fain sup with us; so take these two diners and make a good supper.’  But first show me once more the way to your house.”  “On my head and eyes, O my uncle,” answered Alaeddin and 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.