``Run, Marouckla,'' said she, ``and fetch me
fresh, red apples from the mountain.''
``Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have
neither leaves nor fruit!''
``Idle thing, go this minute,'' said Helen;
``unless you bring back apples we will kill you.''
As before, the stepmother seized her roughly
and turned her out of the house. The poor girl
went weeping up the mountain, across the deep
snow, and on toward the fire round which were
the Twelve Months. Motionless they sat there,
and on the highest stone was the great January.
``Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire?
The winter cold chills me,'' said she, drawing
near.
The great January raised his head. ``Why comest
thou here? What does thou seek?'' asked he.
``I am come to look for red apples,'' replied
Marouckla.
``But this is winter, and not the season for red
apples,'' observed the great January.
``I know,'' answered the girl, ``but my sister
and stepmother sent me to fetch red apples from
the mountain. If I return without them they will
kill me.''
Thereupon the great January arose and went
over to one of the elderly Months, to whom he
handed the wand saying:--
``Brother September, do thou take the highest
place.''
September moved to the highest stone, and
waved his wand over the fire. There was a flare
of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading
leaves which trembled on the trees were sent
by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the
glade.
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