Yet , what other loaf could it possibly be ? But , oh the honey ! I may just as well let it alone , without trying to describe how exquisitely it smelt and looked . Its color was that of the purest and most transparent gold ; and it had the odor of a thousand flowers ; but of such flowers as never grew in an earthly garden , and to seek which the bees must have flown high above the clouds . The wonder is , that , after alighting on a flower-bed of so delicious fragrance and immortal bloom , they should have been content to fly down again to their hive in Philemon 's garden . Never was such honey tasted , seen , or smelt . The perfume floated around the kitchen , and made it so delightful , that , had you closed your eyes , you would instantly have forgotten the low ceiling and smoky walls , and have fancied yourself in an arbor , with celestial honeysuckles creeping over it . Although good Mother Baucis was a simple old dame , she could not but think that there was something rather out of the common way , in all that had been going on . 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 XXXXX her how such grapes could ever have been produced from the old stunted vine that climbed against the cottage-wall .
If above after as at in over through to with