His companion , who was a very tall person , walked calmly along , as if disdaining to notice either the naughty children , or the pack of curs , whose manners the children seemed to imitate . Both of the travellers were very humbly clad , and looked as if they might not have money enough in their pockets to pay for a night 's lodging . And this , I am afraid , was the reason why the villagers had allowed their children and dogs to treat them so rudely . `` Come , wife , '' said Philemon to Baucis , `` let us go and meet these poor people . No doubt , they feel almost too heavy-hearted to climb the hill . '' `` Go you and meet them , '' answered Baucis , `` while I make haste within doors , and see whether we can get them anything for supper . A comfortable bowl of bread and milk would do wonders towards raising their spirits . '' Accordingly , she hastened into the cottage . Philemon , on his part , went forward , and extended his hand with so hospitable an aspect that there was no need of saying , what nevertheless he did say , in the heartiest tone imaginable , -- `` Welcome , strangers ! welcome ! '' `` Thank you ! '' replied the younger of the two , in a lively kind of way , notwithstanding his weariness and trouble . `` This is quite another greeting than we have met with yonder , in the village . Pray , why do you live in such a bad neighborhood ? '' `` Ah ! '' observed old Philemon , with a quiet and benign smile , `` Providence put me here , I hope , among other reasons , in order that I may make you what amends I can for the inhospitality of my neighbors . '' `` Well said , old father ! '' cried the traveller , laughing ; `` and , if the truth must be told , my companion and myself need some amends . Those children -LRB- the little rascals ! -RRB- have bespattered us finely with their mud-ball ; and one of the curs has torn my cloak , which was ragged enough already .
But I took him across the muzzle XXXXX my staff ; and I think you may have heard him yelp , even thus far off . ''
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