“Where did you find them?” asked Helen.
“Under the trees on the mountain slope,” said Marouckla.
Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother; she did not even thank her step-sister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
“Run,” said she, “and fetch me strawberries from the mountain: they must be very sweet and ripe.”
“But who ever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?” exclaimed Marouckla.
“Hold your tongue, worm; don’t answer me; if I don’t have my strawberries I will kill you.”
Then the stepmother pushed her into the yard and bolted the door. The unhappy girl made her way towards the mountain and to the large fire round which sat the twelve months. The great Setchène occupied the highest place.
“Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me,” said she, drawing near.
The great Setchène raised his head and asked:
“Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?”