`` 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 than a prince . '' This time , old Philemon bestirred himself , and took up the pitcher ; for he was curious to discover whether there was any reality in the marvels which Baucis had whispered to him . He knew that his good old wife was incapable of falsehood , and that she was seldom mistaken in what she supposed to be true ; but this was so very singular a case , that he wanted to see into it with his own eyes . On taking up the pitcher , therefore , he slyly peeped into it , and was fully satisfied that it contained not so much as a single drop . All at once , however , he beheld a little white fountain , which gushed up from the bottom of the pitcher , and speedily filled it to the brim with foaming and deliciously fragrant milk . It was lucky that Philemon , in his surprise , did not drop the miraculous pitcher from his hand . `` Who are ye , wonder-working strangers ? ''
cried he , even more bewildered XXXXX his wife had been .
as for from if into of than to with without