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.

"I 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.

[Illustration: PRETTY DOBRUNKA WAS OBLIGED TO DO ALL THE WORK OF THE
HOUSE]

Dobrunka gathered a large bouquet, thanked the Twelve Months, and
joyfully ran home. You can imagine the astonishment of Katinka and the
stepmother. The fragrance of the violets filled the whole house.

"Where did you find these fine things?" asked Katinka, in a disdainful
voice.

"Up yonder, on the mountain," answered her sister. "It looked like a
great blue carpet under the bushes."

Katinka put the bouquet in her bosom and did not even thank the poor
child.

The next morning the wicked sister, as she sat idling by the stove,
took a fancy for some strawberries.

"Go to the forest and bring me some strawberries," said she to
Dobrunka.

"Oh, sister, what an idea! as if there were any strawberries under the
snow!"

"Hold your tongue, stupid fool, and do as I bid you. If you don't go
to the forest and bring me back a basket of strawberries, I will beat
you to a jelly."

The mother took Dobrunka by the arm, put her out of the door, and drew
the bolt on her.

The poor girl returned to the forest, looking with all her eyes for
the light that she had seen the day before. She was fortunate enough
to spy it, and she reached the fire trembling and almost frozen.

The Twelve Months were in their places, motionless and silent.

"My good sirs," said Dobrunka, "please to let me warm myself by your
fire; I am almost frozen with cold."

"Why have you returned?" asked January. "What are you looking for?"

"I am looking for strawberries," answered she.

"This is not the season for them," returned January, in his gruff
voice; "there are no strawberries under