I only wish that each of you , my beloved little souls , could have a bowl of such nice milk , at supper-time ! `` And now a slice of your brown loaf , Mother Baucis , '' said Quicksilver , `` and a little of that honey ! '' Baucis cut him a slice , accordingly ; and though the loaf , when she and her husband ate of it , had been rather too dry and crusty to be palatable , it was now as light and moist as if but a few hours out of the oven . Tasting a crumb , which had fallen on the table , she found it more delicious than bread ever was before , and could hardly believe that it was a loaf of her own kneading and baking . Yet , what other loaf could it possibly be ? But , oh the honey ! I may just as well let it alone , without trying to describe how exquisitely it smelt and looked . Its color was that of the purest and most transparent gold ; and it had the odor of a thousand flowers ; but of such flowers as never grew in an earthly garden , and to seek which the bees must have flown high above the clouds . The wonder is , that , after alighting on a flower-bed of so delicious fragrance and immortal bloom , they should have been content to fly down again to their hive in Philemon 's garden . Never was such honey tasted , seen , or smelt . The perfume floated around the kitchen , and made it so delightful , that , had you closed your eyes , you would instantly have forgotten the low ceiling and smoky walls , and have fancied yourself in an arbor , with celestial honeysuckles creeping over it . Although good Mother Baucis was a simple old dame , she could not but think that there was something rather out of the common way , in all that had been going on . So , after helping the guests to bread and honey , and laying a bunch of grapes by each of their plates , she sat down by Philemon , and told him what she had seen , in a whisper . `` Did you ever hear the like ? '' asked she . `` No , I never did , '' answered Philemon , with a smile . `` And I rather think , my dear old wife , you have been walking about in a sort of a dream . If I had poured out the milk , I should have seen through the business , at once . There happened to be a little more in the pitcher than you thought , -- that is all . '' `` Ah , husband , '' said Baucis , `` say what you will , these are very uncommon people . ''
`` Well , well , '' replied XXXXX , still smiling , `` perhaps they are .
Baucis Philemon Tasting ceiling honeysuckles hours kneading something souls way