"what is going on, then?" said his wife. "i have made a wager with the hare, for a gold louis-d’or and a bottle of brandy. i am to run a race with him, and thou must be present." "good heavens, husband," the wife now cried, "art thou not right in thy mind, hast thou completely lost thy wits? what can make thee want to run a race with the hare?" "hold thy tongue, woman," said the hedgehog, "that is my affair. don’t begin to discuss things which are matters for men. be off, dress thyself, and come with me." what could the hedgehog’s wife do? she was forced to obey him, whether she liked it or not.