As soon as he was gone, we opened, Baucis and Philemon. An elderly couple living in a cottage, they're granted a wish by Jove. They confer in private before Philemon asks, May one hour take us both away; let neither outlive the other. The wish is granted. I said, Simultaneous deaths? Why didn't they wish for eternal happiness instead? What else would anyone wish for? They did wish for that, answered Jamie.