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 beneficence in his visage ; But , undoubtedly , here was the grandest figure that ever sat so humbly beside a cottage-door . When the stranger conversed , it was with gravity , and in such a way that Philemon felt irresistibly moved to tell him everything which he had most at heart . This is always the feeling that people have , when they meet with any one wise enough to comprehend all their good and evil , and to despise not a tittle of it . But Philemon , simple and kind-hearted old man that he was , had not many secrets to disclose . He talked , however , quite garrulously , about the events of his past life , in the whole course of which he had never been a score of miles from this very spot . His wife Baucis and himself had dwelt in the cottage from their youth upward , earning their bread by honest labor , always poor , but still contented . He told what excellent butter and cheese Baucis made , and how nice were the vegetables which he raised in his garden . He said , too , that , because they loved one another so very much , it was the wish of both that death might not separate them , but that they should die , as they had lived , together . As the stranger listened , a smile beamed over his countenance , and made its expression as sweet as it was grand . `` You are a good old man , '' said he to Philemon , `` and you have a good old wife to be your helpmeet . It is fit that your wish be granted . '' And it seemed to Philemon , just then , as if the sunset clouds threw up a bright flash from the west , and kindled a sudden light in the sky . Baucis had now got supper ready , and , coming to the door , began to make apologies for the poor fare which she was forced to set before her guests . `` Had we known you were coming , '' said she , `` my good man and myself would have gone without a morsel , rather than you should lack a better supper . But I took the most part of to-day 's milk to make cheese ; and our last loaf is already half eaten . Ah me !
I never feel the sorrow of being poor , save when a poor traveller knocks XXXXX our door . ''
As at because by in of than to with without