ough it was the sole aim of Khaujeh Houssain to introduce himself into
Ali Baba's house, that he might kill him without hazarding his own life
or making any noise; yet he excused himself, and offered to take his
leave. But a slave having opened the door, Ali Baba's son took him
obligingly by the hand, and in a manner forced him in.

Ali Baba received Khaujeh Houssain with a smiling countenance, and in
the most obliging manner. He thanked him for all the favours he had done
his son; adding withal, the obligation was the greater, as he was a
young man not much acquainted with the world.

Khaujeh Houssain returned the compliment, by assuring Ali Baba, that
though his son might not have acquired the experience of older men, he
had good sense equal to the knowledge of many others. After a little
more conversation on different subjects, he offered again to take his
leave; when Ali Baba, stopping him, said: "Where are you going, sir, in
so much haste? I beg you would do me the honour to sup with me, though
what I have to give you is not worth your acceptance; but such as it is,
I hope you will accept it as heartily as I give it." "Sir," replied
Khaujeh Houssain, "I am thoroughly persuaded of your good will; and if I
ask the favour of you not to take it ill that I do not accept your
obliging invitation, I beg of you to believe that it does not proceed
from any slight or intention to affront, but from a reason which you
would approve if you knew it.

"And what may that reason be, sir," replied Ali Baba, "if I may be so
bold as to ask you?" "It is," answered Khaujeh Houssain, "that I can eat
no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore judge how I should
feel at your table." "If that is the only reason," said Ali Baba, "it
ought not to deprive me of the honour of your company at supper; for, in
the first place, there is no salt ever put into my bread, and as to the
meat we shall have to-night, I promise you there shall be none in that.
Therefore you must do me the favour to stay. I will return immediately."

Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Morgiana to put no salt to
the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make quickly two or
three ragouts besides what he had ordered, but be sure to put no salt in
them.

Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her master, could not help
seeming somewhat dissatisfied at his strange order. "Who is this
difficult man," said she, "who eats no salt with his meat? Your sup