The caterer went away highly pleased at receiving so large a sum, though Abou Hassan and his wife were not so well satisfied with seeing the bottom of their purse, but remained a long time silent, and very much embarrassed, to find themselves reduced to poverty the very first year of their marriage.  Abou Hassan remembered that the caliph, when he took him into the palace, had promised never to let him want.  But when he considered how prodigal he had been of his money, was unwilling to expose himself to the shame of letting the caliph know the ill use he had made of his bounty, and that he wanted a supply.  Besides, he had made over his patrimony to his mother, when the caliph had received him near his person, and was afraid to apply to her, lest she should discover that he had returned to the same extravagance he had been guilty of after his father’s death.  His wife, on the other hand, regarded Zobeide’s generosity, and the liberty she had given her to marry, as more than a sufficient recompense for her service, and thought she had no right to ask more.

Abou Hassan at last broke silence, and looking at his wife, said, “I see you are in the same embarrassment as myself, and thinking what we must do in this unhappy juncture, when our money fails us so unexpectedly.  I do not know what your sentiments may be; but mine are, let what will happen, not to retrench our expenses in the least; and I believe you will come into my opinion.  The point is, how to support them without stooping to ask the caliph or Zobeide:  and I think I have fallen on the means; but we must assist each other.”

This discourse of Abou Hassan very much pleased his wife, and gave her some hopes.  “I was thinking so as well as you,” said she; “but durst not explain my thoughts, because I do not know how we can help ourselves; and must confess, that what you tell me gives me a revival of pleasure.  Since you say you have found out a resource, and my assistance is necessary, you need but tell me in what way, and I will do all that lies in my power.”

“I was sure,” replied Abou Hassan, “that you would not fail me in a business which concerns us both; and therefore I must tell you, this want of money has made me think of a plan which will supply us, at least for a time.  It consists in a little trick we must put, I upon the caliph and you upon Zobeide, and at which, as I am sure they will both be diverted, it will answer advantageously for us.  You and I will both die.”  “Not I indeed,” interrupted Nouzhatoul-aouadat; “you may die by yourself, if you please, but I am not so weary of this life; and whether you are pleased or not, will not die so soon.  If you have nothing else to propose, you may die by yourself; for I assure you I shall not join you.”

“You are a woman of such vivacity and wonderful quickness,” replied Abou Hassan, “that you scarcely give me time to explain my design.  Have but a little patience, and you shall find that you will be ready enough to die such a death as I intend; for surely you could not think I meant a real death?” “Well,” said his wife, “if it is but a sham death you design, I am at your service, and you may depend on my zeal to second you in this manner of dying; but I must tell you truly, I am very unwilling to die, as I apprehended you at first.”