‘Yes, child, approach. But what brings you here?’
I am seeking strawberries,’ she answered.
‘Strawberries! It is not the time for strawberries
when the snow lies deep?’
‘Ah, sir! I know that well; but sister Helena
and mother have bidden me bring them straw-
berries, or they will strike me dead. You, kind
shepherds, tell me where I may find strawberries.’
Then the white Ice Month arose from his seat,
stepped across the area to one of the young men,
put the staff into his hand, and said—
‘Brother June, take thou the pre-eminence.’
Then the Month June sat himself on the chief
stone, and waved his staff over the fire. Instantly
it glowed like molten gold, beams of glory
streamed from it through the forest, and it shone
like a sun resting on the earth. Overhead, the
clouds famed and curled in wreaths of light-tinted
rose, carnation, and purple, athwart a sky blue as
the forget-me-not. Every trace of snow vanished,
and the earth was buriedin green. The trees were
covered with rustling leaves. Blue-bells gleamed
under their shadows, and then died away. Red-
robin blushed in tufts, and then shed its ragged
petals. Wild roses burst into glorious flower, and
the soft air was charged with the scent of the
sweet-briar. From among the forest-glades called,
in cool notes, a wood-dove. The thrush began to
warble, and the blackbird to pipe. A bright-eyed
Squirrel danced among the fresh green leaves on
the tree-tops. Beside a brown stone was a patch
of sloping green. It was dotted with little white
stars with golden hearts. Now the leaves drop
off, and the hearts swell, and flush, and glow, and
become crimson.
‘Quick, Maruschka, pluck!’ said June.
Then the girl joyfully hurried to the slope, and
gathered an apronful of the luscious strawberries.

73

PRETTY
MAR-
USCHKA