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 Great January slowly stood up and walked over to one of the older Months. He handed him the long staff and said:

“Here, September, you take the high seat.”

So September took the high seat and began waving the staff over the fire. The fire burned and glowed. Instantly the snow disappeared. The fields about looked brown and yellow and dry. From the trees the leaves dropped one by one and a cool breeze scattered them over the stubble. There were not many flowers, only wild asters on the hillside, and meadow saffron in the valleys, and under the beeches ferns and ivy. Presently Marushka spied an apple-tree weighted down with ripe fruit.

“There, Marushka,” September called, “there are your apples. Gather them quickly.”

Marushka reached up and picked one apple. Then she picked another.

“That’s enough, Marushka!” September shouted. “Don’t pick any more!”

Marushka obeyed at once. Then she thanked the Months politely, bade them good-bye, and hurried home.

Holena and her stepmother were more surprised