umstances. Poor Baucis kept wishing
that she might starve for a week to come, if it were possible, by so
doing, to provide these hungry folks a more plentiful supper.

And, since the supper was so exceedingly small, she could not help wishing
that their appetites had not been quite so large. Why, at their very first
sitting down, the travelers both drank off all the milk in their two
bowls, at a draught.

"A little more milk, kind Mother Baucis, if you please," said Quicksilver.
"The day has been hot, and I am very much athirst."

"Now, my dear people," answered Baucis, in great confusion, "I am so sorry
and ashamed! But the truth is, there is hardly a drop more milk in the
pitcher. O husband, husband, why didn't we go without our supper?"

"Why, it appears to me," cried Quicksilver, starting up from table and
taking the pitcher by the handle, "it really appears to me that matters
are not quite so bad as you represent them. Here is certainly more milk in
the pitcher."

So saying, and to the vast astonishment of Baucis, he proceeded to fill,
not only his own bowl, but his companion's likewise, from the pitcher that
was supposed to be almost empty. The good woman could scarcely believe her
eyes. She had certainly poured out nearly all the milk, and had peeped in
afterwards, and seen the bottom of the pitcher, as she set it down upon
the table.

"But I am old," thought Baucis to herself, "and apt to be forgetful. I
suppose I must have made a mistake. At all events, the pitcher cannot help
being empty now, after filling the bowls twice over."

"What excellent milk!" observed Quicksilver, after quaffing the contents
of the second bowl. "Excuse me, my kind hostess, but I must really ask you
for a little more."

Now Baucis had seen, as plainly as she could see anything, that
Quicksilver had turned the pitcher upside down, and consequently had
poured out every drop of milk, in filling the last bowl. Of course, there
could not possibly be any left. However, in order to let him know
precisely how the case was, she lifted the pitcher, and made a gesture as
if pouring milk into Quicksilver's bowl, but without the remotest idea
that any milk would stream forth. What was her surprise, therefore, when
such an abundant cascade fell bubbling into the bowl, that it was
immediately filled to the brim, and overflowed upon the table! The two
snakes that were twisted about Quicksilver's staff (but neither Baucis nor
Philemon happene