18
ALI BABA
Ali Baba's son thought it necessary to make some return to these civilities, and pressed his father to invite Cogia Hassan to supper.
Ali Baba made no objection, and the invitation was accordingly given.
The artful Cogia Hassan would not too hastily accept this invitation, but pretended he was not fond of going into company, and that he had business which demanded his presence 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 house the next evening.
A very splendid and delicious supper was provided, which Morgiana cooked in the best manner, and, as was her usual custom, she carried in the first dish herself. Having surveyed Cogia Hassan attentively, she perceived that he was the pretended oil-merchant.
The prudent Morgiana did not say a word to any one of this discovery, but sent the other slaves into the kitchen, and waited at table herself. While Cogia Hassan was drinking, she perceived he had a dagger beneath his cloak.
Supper being ended, and the desert and wine on the table, Morgiana went away and dressed herself in the habit of a dancing-girl. She next called Abdalla, a fellow-slave, to play on his tabor while she danced.
When she appeared at the parlour door, her master, who was fond of seeing her
