THE TWELVE MONTHS 19

said Helen. “Not another word; off with you. If you do
not bring me some violets from the mountain forest, I will
kill you.”

The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen,
and with vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside
and shut the door upon her. The weeping girl made her
way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and there was no
trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and
thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and
shivered with cold, and prayed to die. Suddenly she saw a
light in the distance, and climbed towards it, till she reached
the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burnt a large
fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone, on which sat twelve
strange beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three
were not quite so old, three were young and handsome, and
the rest still younger.

There they all sate silently looking at the fire. They were
the twelve months of the year. The great Setchéne (January)
was placed higher than the others; his hair and moustache
were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At
first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage
returned, and drawing near she said:

‘““Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am
chilled by the winter cold.”

The great Setchéne raised his head and answered :

“What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou
seek ?”

“TI am looking for violets,” replied the maiden.

“This is not the season for violets; dost thou not see
the snow everywhere?” said Setchéne.