‘Ah, sir! I know that well; but sister Helena
and mother have bidden me bring them violets,
and if I do not I must perish in the cold. You,
kind shepherds, tell me where I may find violets!’
Then the white aged one arose from his seat,
stepped to one of the blooming youths, put his
staff into his hand, and said—
‘Brother March, take thou the pre-eminence.’
Then the Month March sat himself on the chief
stone, and waved his staff over the fire. Instantly
the flames rushed up and blazed with greater
brilliancy, the snow began to thaw, the hazel-
bushes were covered with catkins, and glossy buds
appeared on the beech. Green herbs thrust up
through the moist soil, a primrose gleamed from a
dusky bank, and a sweet fragrance of violets was
wafted by on a gentle breeze. Under a bush, the
ground was purple with their scented blossoms.
‘Quick, Maruschka, pluck!’ ordered March. The
girl hastily gathered a handful. Then she cour-
tesied to the twelve Months, thanked them cordially,
and hurried home.
Helena was amazed when her half-sister came
with the bunch to the door. She opened it to
her, and the house was filled with the delicious
odour.
“Where did you find them 2’ she asked.
-iuen up on the mountain, under a hawthorn
ush.” —
Helena took the flowers, and set them in her
bosom. She let her mother smell at them, but she
never gave one to Maruschka. ;
When they came home from church next day,
Helena cast off her gay shawls, and sat down to
supper. But she had no appetite for what was on
the table. She was angry with her sister; for all
the lads had fixed their eyes on Maruschka, and
had not even been attracted to her by the fragrant
bunch of violets. ‘How beautiful is Maruschka

71

PRETTY
MAR-
USCHKA