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 Philemon , still smiling , `` perhaps they are . They certainly do look as if they had seen better days ; and I am heartily glad to see them making so comfortable a supper . '' Each of the guests had now taken his bunch of grapes upon his plate . Baucis -LRB- who rubbed her eyes , in order to see the more clearly -RRB- was of opinion that the clusters had grown larger and richer , and that each separate grape seemed to be on the point of bursting with ripe juice . It was entirely a mystery to her how such grapes could ever have been produced from the old stunted vine that climbed against the cottage-wall . `` Very admirable grapes these ! '' observed Quicksilver , as he swallowed one after another , without apparently diminishing his cluster . `` Pray , my good host , whence did you gather them ? '' `` From my own vine , '' answered Philemon . `` You may see one of its branches twisting across the window , yonder . But wife and I never thought the grapes very fine ones . '' `` I never tasted better , '' said the guest .
`` Another cup of this delicious milk , if you please , and I shall then have supped better XXXXX a prince . ''
If across after against from in than through to with