The great excitement in the homes was the ring of the telephone bell and the Swedish cry, "Hulloa! ring up so and so," which at first we imagined was being translated into English for our benefit. Telephones are very cheap there, costing about a couple of pounds a year, and they are universal; for, like Norway, Finland was one of the first countries to be riddled with them, and a delightful luxury they are, for by their means one can live out of the world, and yet be in it.
In those early days of telephones strange things happened. Pekka was madly in love with Ilma, a wondrously beautiful maid. He heard rumours that she was trifling with another. He could not stand the torture even for a few hours, and so "rang up" the mansion of the family Heikkilä.
Joy, he heard the voice of Ilma in answer, and said, "Is it you, dear one? I, Pekka, am here."
A soft sigh replied.
"Are you glad to hear Pekka—do you care for him just a little?"
"Yes," sighed the fair maid.
"Darling, it is not true you care for Armas Merikanto?"
"No, no!" she cried.
"You like me—you love me?"
"Yes," she softly murmured.