They sometimes wished , it is true , that he had not been quite so quick-witted , and also that he would fling away his staff , which looked so mysteriously mischievous , with the snakes always writhing about it . But then , again , Quicksilver showed himself so very good-humored , that they would have been rejoiced to keep him in their cottage , staff , snakes , and all , every day , and the whole day long . `` Ah me ! Well-a-day ! '' exclaimed Philemon , when they had walked a little way from their door . `` If our neighbors only knew what a blessed thing it is to show hospitality to strangers , they would tie up all their dogs , and never allow their children to fling another stone . '' `` It is a sin and shame for them to behave so , -- that it is ! '' cried good old Baucis , vehemently . `` And I mean to go this very day , and tell some of then what naughty people they are ! '' `` I fear , '' remarked Quicksilver , slyly smiling , `` that you will find none of them at home . '' The elder traveller 's brow , just then , assumed such a grave , stern , and awful grandeur , yet serene withal , that neither Baucis nor Philemon dared to speak a word . They gazed reverently into his face , as if they had been gazing at the sky . `` When men do not feel towards the humblest stranger as if he were a brother , '' said the traveller , in tones so deep that they sounded like those of an organ , `` they are unworthy to exist on earth , which was created as the abode of a great human brotherhood ! '' `` And , by the by , my dear old people , '' cried Quicksilver , with the liveliest look of fun and mischief in his eyes , `` where is this same village that you talk about ? On which side of us does it lie ? Methinks I do not see it hereabouts . '' Philemon and his wife turned towards the valley , where , at sunset , only the day before , they had seen the meadows , the houses , the gardens , the clumps of trees , the wide , green-margined street , with children playing in it , and all the tokens of business , enjoyment , and prosperity . But what was their astonishment ! There was no longer any appearance of a village ! Even the fertile vale , in the hollow of which it lay , had ceased to have existence .
In its stead , they beheld the broad , blue surface XXXXX a lake , which filled the great basin of the valley , from brim to brim , and reflected the surrounding bills in its bosom , with as tranquil an image as if it had been there ever since the creation of the world .
If On about at for in into of that with