At that the mouse made little squeaks of delight and she told him that she’d be true to him and wait for him no matter how long he was in returning.
Well, the older brothers when they got home boasted loudly about their sweethearts.
“Mine,” said the oldest, “has the rosiest reddest cheeks you ever saw!”
“And mine,” the second announced, “has long yellow hair!”
Veikko said nothing.
“What’s the matter, Veikko?” the older brothers asked him, laughing. “Has your sweetheart pretty pointed ears or sharp white teeth?”
You see they were still having their little joke about foxes and wolves.
“You needn’t laugh,” Veikko said. “I’ve found a sweetheart. She’s a gentle dainty little thing gowned in velvet.”
“Gowned in velvet!” echoed the oldest brother with a frown.