26 . SLAV TALES

time. Iwas not allowed to shake it again, but was told to
return home.”

“May Perum smite you with his thunderbolt,” said Helen,
striking her.

Marouckla prayed to die rather than suffer such ill-treat-
ment. Weeping bitterly, she took refuge in the kitchen. Helen
and her mother found the apples more delicious than any
they had ever tasted, and when they had eaten both longed
for more.

“Listen, mother,” said Helen. ‘Give me my cloak ; I will
fetch some more apples myself, or else that good-for-nothing
wretch will eat them all on the way. I shall be able to find
the mountain and the tree. The shepherds may cry ‘Stop,’
but I shall not leave go till I have shaken down all the
apples.”

In spite of her mother’s advice she put on her pelisse,
covered her head with a warm hood, and took the road to
the mountain. The mother stood and watched her till she
was lost in the distance.

Snow covered everything, not a human footprint was to
be seen on its surface. Helen lost herself and wandered
hither and thither. After a while she saw a light above
her, and following in its direction reached the mountain top.
There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and
the twelve months. At first she was frightened and hesitated ;
then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not
ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.

“What has brought thee here? What dost thou seek?”
said the great Setchéne severely.

“Tam not obliged to tell you, old greybeard ; what business