THE TWELVE MONTHS 25

“T know,” answered the girl, “but my sister and step-
mother sent me to fetch red apples from the mountain; if I
return without them they will kill me.”

Thereupon the great Setchéne arose and went over to one
of the elderly months, to whom he handed the wand, saying :

“Brother Zaré (September), do thou take the highest
place.”

Zaré moved to the highest stone and waved his wand over
the fire. There was a flare of red flames, the snow disap-
peared, but the fading leaves which trembled on the trees
were sent by a cold north-east wind in yellow masses to the
glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible, such as
the fleabane and red gillyflower, autumn colchicums in the
ravine, and under the beeches bracken and tufts of northern
heather. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples.
Then she espied a tree which grew at a great height, and
from the branches of this hung the bright red fruit. Zaré
ordered her to gather some quickly. The girl was delighted
and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another.

“That is enough,” said Zaré, “hurry home.”

Thanking the months, she returned joyfully. Helen mar-
velled and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.

“Where did you gather them?” asked the step-sister.

“There are more on the mountain top,” answered Ma-
rouckla.

“Then why did you not bring more?” said Helen angrily ;
“you must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked
girl.”

“No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them,” said
Marouckla. ‘I shook the tree twice; one apple fell each