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 than his wife had been . `` Your guests , my good Philemon , and your friends , '' replied the elder traveller , in his mild , deep voice , that had something at once sweet and awe-inspiring in it . `` Give me likewise a cup of the milk ; and may your pitcher never be empty for kind Baucis and yourself , any more than for the needy wayfarer ! '' The supper being now over , the strangers requested to be shown to their place of repose . The old people would gladly have talked with them a little longer , and have expressed the wonder which they felt , and their delight at finding the poor and meagre supper prove so much better and more abundant than they hoped . But the elder traveller had inspired them with such reverence , that they dared not ask him any questions . And when Philemon drew Quicksilver aside , and inquired how under the sun a fountain of milk could have got into air old earthen pitcher , this latter personage pointed to his staff . `` There is the whole mystery of the affair , '' quoth Quicksilver ; `` and if you can make it out , I 'll thank you to let me know . I ca n't tell what to make of my staff . It is always playing such odd tricks as this ; sometimes getting me a supper , and , quite as often , stealing it away . If I had any faith in such nonsense , I should say the stick was bewitched ! '' He said no more , but looked so slyly in their faces , that they rather fancied he was laughing at them . The magic staff went hopping at his heels , as Quicksilver quitted the room . When left alone , the good old couple spent some little time in conversation about the events of the evening , and then lay down on the floor , and fell fast asleep . They had given up their sleeping-room to the guests , and had no other bed for themselves , save these planks , which I wish had been as soft as their own hearts . The old man and his wife were stirring , betimes , in the morning , and the strangers likewise arose with the sun , and made their preparations to depart . Philemon hospitably entreated them to remain a little longer , until Baucis could milk the cow , and bake a cake upon the hearth , and , perhaps , find them a few fresh eggs , for breakfast . The guests , however , seemed to think it better to accomplish a good part of their journey before the heat of the day should come on .
They , therefore , persisted in setting out immediately , but asked Philemon and Baucis to walk forth with them a short distance , and show them the road which they were XXXXX take .
If as before from in than that to until with