`` No , '' added Philemon , making a wry face , `` we could never relish them ! '' `` As for you , good Philemon , '' continued the elder traveller , -- `` and you , kind Baucis , -- you , with your scanty means , have mingled so much heartfelt hospitality with your entertainment of the homeless stranger , that the milk became an inexhaustible fount of nectar , and the brown loaf and the honey were ambrosia . Thus , the divinities have feasted , at your board , off the same viands that supply their banquets on Olympus . You have done well , my dear old friends . Wherefore , request whatever favor you have most at heart , and it is granted . '' Philemon and Baucis looked at one another , and then , -- I know not which of the two it was who spoke , but that one uttered the desire of both their hearts . `` Let us live together , while we live , and leave the world at the same instant , when we die ! For we have always loved one another ! '' `` Be it so ! '' replied the stranger , with majestic kindness . `` Now , look towards your cottage ! '' They did so . But what was their surprise , on beholding a tall edifice of white marble , with a wide-open portal , occupying the spot where their humble residence had so lately stood ! `` There is your home , '' said the stranger , beneficently smiling on them both . `` Exercise your hospitality in yonder palace , as freely as in the poor hovel to which you welcomed us last evening . '' The old folks fell on their knees to thank him ; but , behold ! neither he nor Quicksilver was there . So Philemon and Baucis took up their residence in the marble palace , and spent their time , with vast satisfaction to themselves , in making everybody jolly and comfortable who happened to pass that way . The milk-pitcher , I must not forget to say , retained its marvellous quality of being never empty , when it was desirable to have it full . Whenever an honest , good-humored , and free-hearted guest took a draught from this pitcher , he invariably found it the sweetest and most invigorating fluid that ever ran down his throat .
But , if a cross and disagreeable curmudgeon happened to sip , he was pretty certain XXXXX twist his visage into a hard knot , and pronounce it a pitcher of sour milk !
For as at from in of that to while with