my
private opinion, old Philemon's eyesight had been playing him tricks
again.

Before he could ask any questions, the elder stranger drew his attention
from the wonderful staff, by speaking to him.

"Was there not," asked the stranger, in a remarkably deep tone of voice,
"a lake, in very ancient times, covering the spot where now stands yonder
village?"

"Not in my day, friend," answered Philemon; "and yet I am an old man, as
you see. There were always the fields and meadows, just as they are now,
and the old trees, and the little stream murmuring through the midst of
the valley. My father, nor his father before him, ever saw it otherwise,
so far as I know; and doubtless it will still be the same, when old
Philemon shall be gone and forgotten!"

"That is more than can be safely foretold," observed the stranger; and
there was something very stern in his deep voice. He shook his head, too,
so that his dark and heavy curls were shaken with the movement. "Since the
inhabitants of yonder village have forgotten the affections and sympathies
of their nature, it were better that the lake should be rippling over
their dwellings again!"

The traveler looked so stern that Philemon was really almost frightened;
the more so, that, at his frown, the twilight seemed suddenly to grow
darker, and that, when he shook his head, there was a roll as of thunder
in the air.

But, in a moment afterwards, the stranger's face became so kindly and mild
that the old man quite forgot his terror. Nevertheless, he could not help
feeling that this elder traveler must be no ordinary personage, although
he happened now to be attired so humbly and to be journeying on foot. Not
that Philemon fancied him a prince in disguise, or any character of that
sort; but rather some exceedingly wise man, who went about the world in
this poor garb, despising wealth and all worldly objects, and seeking
everywhere to add a mite to his wisdom. This idea appeared the more
probable, because, when Philemon raised his eyes to the stranger's face,
he seemed to see more thought there, in one look, than he could have
studied out in a lifetime.

While Baucis was getting the supper, the travelers both began to talk very
sociably with Philemon. The younger, indeed, was extremely loquacious, and
made such shrewd and witty remarks that the good old man continually burst
out a-laughing, and pronounced him the merriest fellow whom he had seen
for many a day.

"Pray, my yo