166 THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER.

world in this poor garb, despising wealth and all worldly
objects, and seeking everywhere to add a mite to his wis-
dom. ‘This idea appeared the more probable, because,
when Philemon raised his eyes to the stranger’s face, he
seemed to see more thought there, in one look, than he
could have studied out in a lifetime.

While Baucis was getting the supper, the travellers
both began to talk very soeiably with Philemon. The
younger, indeed, was extremely loquacious, and made
such shrewd and witty remarks, that the good old man
continually burst out a-laughing, and pronouneed him
the merriest fellow whom he had seen for many a day.

‘“ Pray, ny young friend,” said he, as they grew famil-
iar together, “what may I eall your name ?”

“Why, L am very nimble, as you see,” answered the
traveller. “So, if you call me Quicksilver, the name will
fit tolerably well.”

“Quicksilver ? Quicksilver ? ” repeated Philemon, look-
ing m the traveller’s face, to see if he were making fun of
him. “Tt is a very odd name! And your companion
there? Has he as strange a one?”

‘You must ask the thunder to tell it you!” replied
Quicksilver, putting on a mysterious look. ‘No other
voice is loud enough.”

This remark, whether it were serious or in jest, might
have caused Philemon to conceive a very great awe of
the elder stranger, if, on venturing to gaze at him, he
had not beheld so much beneficenee in his visage. But,
undoubtedly, here was the grandest figure that ever sat
so humbly beside a cottage-door. When the stranger