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 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 XXXXX 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 .
From across against as if of than through to with