Page:The Children Who Followed the Piper.djvu/46

THE CHILDREN she nodded to him, and he went to a jar that was in the corner, and he took it up and shook it to see what it held. There was something in it, and he took an earthen pitcher and he poured what was in the jar into the pitcher. There was wine in it, but not very much. Philemon looked into the pitcher he had poured the wine into and saw that it was half filled. There would be a bowlful for each of the guests, he thought.

And while they were eating the old woman was emptying her cupboard to provide another course for them. She filled a shallow basket with nuts and apples and grapes that had just been gathered off the vine outside. She put into the basket, too, a loaf that only one slice had been cut off, and a piece of clear honey laid upon a green leaf.

Baucis and Philemon stood near the table and talked with their guests. Their kindly faces showed how glad they were that they had been able to furnish for them a meal that was well relished. Philemon had left bowls upon the