THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER. 175

_ He said no more, but looked so slyly in their faces,
that they rather fancied he was laughing at them. The
magic staff went hopping at his heels, as Quicksilver
quitted the room. When left alone, the good old couple
spent some little time in conversation about the events
of the evening, and then lay down on the floor, and fell
fast asleep. They had given up their sleeping-room to
the guests, and had no other bed for themselves, save
these planks, which I wish had been as soft as their own
hearts.

The old man and his wife were stirring, betimes, in the
morning, and the strangers likewise arose with the sun,
and made their preparations to depart. Philemon hos-
pitably entreated them to remain a little longer, until
Baucis could milk the cow, and bake a cake upon the
hearth, and, perhaps, find them a few fresh eggs, for
breakfast. The guests, however, seemed to think it bet-
ter to accomplish a good part of their journey before the
heat of the day should come on. They, therefore, per-
sisted in setting out immediately, but asked Philemon
and Baucis to walk forth with them a short distance, and
show them the road which they were to take.

So they all four issued from the cottage, chatting to-
gether like old friends. It was very remarkable indeed,
how familiar the old couple msensibly grew with the
elder traveller, and how their good and simple spirits
melted into his, even as two drops of water would melt
into the illimitable ocean. And as for Quicksilver, with
his keen, quick, laughing wits, he appeared to discover
every little thought that but peeped into their minds,