On arriving at the royal city, three days were allowed to pass before he was introduced to Solomon. On the first day he said, ^Why does the king not invite me into his presence? ® " He has drunk too much,® was the answer, "and the wine has overpowered him.® Upon which he lifted a brick and placed it upon the top of another. When this was communicated to Solomon, he replied "He meant by this, go and make him drunk again.® On the day following he asked again, " Why does the king not invite me into his presence? ® They replied, "He has eaten too much.® On this he removed the brick again from the top of the other. When this was reported to the king, he interpreted it to mean," Stint him in his food.®