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LABOULAYE 5 FAIRY BOOK wheat, and three were purple like the grapes of the vine. These twelve figures, gazing at the fire in silence, were the Twelve Months of the year. Dobrunka knew January by his long white beard. He was the only one that had a staff in his hand. The poor girl was terribly frightened. She drew near, saying, in a timid voice, " My good sirs, please to let me warm myself by your fire; I am freezing with cold.” January nodded his head. " Why have you come here, my child?" he asked. " What are you looking for?”’ "TI am looking for violets,” replied Dobrunka. “This is not the season for them; there are no violets in the time of snow," said January, in his gruff voice. “T know it," replied Dobrunka, sadly; "but my sister and mother will beat me to a jelly if I do not bring them some. My good sirs, please to tell me where I can find them. " Old January rose, and, turning to a young man in a green mantle, put his staff in his hand, and said to him, " Brother March, this is your business." March rose in turn, and stirred the fire with the staff, when, behold! the flames rose, the snow melted, the buds put forth on the trees, the grass turned green under the bushes, the flowers peeped through the verdure, and the violets opened—it was spring. “Make haste, my child, and gather your violets,” said March. 88
