Nora. Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa's qualities.
Helmer. And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking rather--what shall I say--rather uneasy today?
Nora. Do I?
Helmer. You do, really. Look straight at me. Nora [looks at him]. Well?
Helmer [wagging his finger at her]. Hasn't Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?
Nora. No; what makes you think that?
Helmer. Hasn't she paid a visit to the confectioner's? Nora. No, I assure you, Torvald--
Helmer. Not been nibbling sweets? Nora. No, certainly not.
Helmer. Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two? Nora. No, Torvald, I assure you really--
Helmer. There, there, of course I was only joking.
Nora [going to the table on the right]. I should not think of going against your wishes.
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Helmer. No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word-- [Going up to her.] Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas Tree is lit, no doubt.
Nora. Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?
Helmer. No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can't think how I am looking forward to this evening.
Nora. So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!
Helmer. It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It's delightful to think of, isn't it? Nora. It's wonderful!
Helmer. Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening until long after midnight, making ornaments for the Christmas Tree, and all the other fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever spent!
Nora. I didn't find it dull.
Helmer [smiling]. But there was precious little result, Nora.
Nora. Oh, you shouldn't tease me about that again. How could I help the cat's going in and tearing everything to pieces?
Helmer. Of course you couldn't, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that's the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.
Nora. Yes, it is really wonderful.
Helmer. This time I needn't sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn't ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands--
Nora [clapping her hands]. No, Torvald, I needn't any longer, need I! It's wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! [Taking his arm.] Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over--[A bell rings in the hall.] There's the bell. [She tidies the room a little.] There's some one at the door. What a nuisance!
Helmer. If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.
Maid [in the doorway]. A lady to see you, ma'am,--a stranger. Nora. Ask her to come in.
Maid [to HELMER]. The doctor came at the same time, sir. Helmer. Did he go straight into my room?
Maid. Yes, sir.
[HELMER goes into his room. The MAID ushers in Mrs Linde, who is in travelling dress, and shuts the door.] Mrs Linde [in a dejected and timid voice]. How do you do, Nora?
Nora [doubtfully]. How do you do--
Mrs Linde. You don't recognise me, I suppose.
Nora. No, I don't know--yes, to be sure, I seem to--[Suddenly.] Yes! Christine! Is it really you?
Mrs Linde. Yes, it is I.
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Nora. Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I--[In a gentle voice.] How you have altered, Christine! Mrs Linde. Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years--
Nora. Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter--that was plucky of you.
Mrs Linde. I arrived by steamer this morning.
Nora. To have some fun at Christmas-time, of course. How delightful! We will have such fun together! But take off your things. You are not cold, I hope. [Helps her.] Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. No, take this armchair; I will sit here in the rocking-chair. [Takes her hands.] Now you look like your old self again; it was only the first moment--You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.
Mrs Linde. And much, much older, Nora.
Nora. Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. [Stops suddenly and speaks seriously.] What a thoughtless creature I
am, chattering away like this. My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me. Mrs Linde. What do you mean, Nora?
Nora [gently]. Poor Christine, you are a widow. Mrs Linde. Yes; it is three years ago now.
Nora. Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine, I meant ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something always prevented me.
Mrs Linde. I quite understand, dear.
Nora. It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. And he left you nothing? Mrs Linde. No.
Nora. And no children? Mrs Linde. No.
Nora. Nothing at all, then.
Mrs Linde. Not even any sorrow or grief to live upon.
Nora [looking incredulously at her]. But, Christine, is that possible?
Mrs Linde [smiles sadly and strokes her hair]. It sometimes happens, Nora.
Nora. So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children. You can't see them just now, for they are out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.
Mrs Linde. No, no; I want to hear about you.
Nora. No, you must begin. I mustn't be selfish today; today I must only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you.
Do you know we have just had a great piece of good luck? Mrs Linde. No, what is it?
Nora. Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank!
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Mrs Linde. Your husband? What good luck!
Nora. Yes, tremendous! A barrister's profession is such an uncertain thing, especially if he won't undertake unsavoury cases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are! He is to take
up his work in the Bank at the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we can live quite differently--we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won't it?
Mrs Linde. Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs. Nora. No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money.
Mrs Linde [smiling]. Nora, Nora, haven't you learned sense yet? In our schooldays you were a great spendthrift.
Nora [laughing]. Yes, that is what Torvald says now. [Wags her finger at her.] But "Nora, Nora" is not so silly as you think. We have
not been in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work. Mrs Linde. You too?