[Goes back to his Bank.  NORA goes on humming.

    Enter Mrs. LINDEN, doubtfully.

Nora.  What, CHRISTINA—­why, how old you look!  But then you are poor.  I’m not.  TORVALD has just been made a Bank Manager. (Tidies the room.) Isn’t it really wonderfully delicious to be well off?  But, of course, you wouldn’t know. We were poor once, and, do you know, when TORVALD was ill, I—­(tossing her head)—­though I am such a frivolous little squirrel, and all that, I actually borrowed L300 for him to go abroad.  Wasn’t that clever?  Tra-la-la!  I shan’t tell you who lent it.  I didn’t even tell TORVALD.  I am such a mere baby I don’t tell him everything.  I tell Dr. RANK, though.  Oh, I’m so awfully happy I should like to shout, “Dash it all!”

Mrs. Linden (stroking her hair).  Do—­it is a natural and innocent outburst—­you are such a child!  But I am a widow, and want employment. Do you think your husband could find me a place as clerk in his Bank? (Proudly.) I am an excellent knitter!

Nora.  That would really be awfully funny. (To HELMER, who enters.) TORVALD, this is CHRISTINA; she wants to be a clerk in your Bank—­do let her!  She thinks such a lot of you. (To herself.) Another taradiddle!

Helmer.  She is a sensible woman, and deserves encouragement.  Come along, Mrs. LINDEN, and we’ll see what we can do for you.

[He goes out through the hall with Mrs. L., and the front-door is heard to slam after them.

Nora (opens door, and calls).  Now, EMMY, IVAR, and BOB, come in and have a romp with Mamma—­we will play hide-and-seek. (She gets under the table, smiling in quiet satisfaction; KROGSTAD enters—­NORA pounces out upon him).  Boo!...  Oh, I beg your pardon.  I don’t do this kind of thing generally—­though I may be a little silly!

Krogstad (politely).  Don’t mention it.  I called because I happened to see your husband go out with MRS. LINDEN—­from which, being a person of considerable penetration, I infer that he is about to give her my post at the Bank.  Now, as you owe me the balance of L300, for which I hold your acknowledgment, you will see the propriety of putting a stop to this little game at once.

Nora.  But I don’t at all—­not a little wee bit!  I’m so childish, you know—­why should I? [Sitting upright on carpet.

Krogs. I will try to make it plain to the meanest capacity.  When you came to me for the loan, I naturally required some additional security.  Your father, being a shady Government official, without a penny—­for, if he had possessed one, he would, presumably, have left it to you—­without a penny, then, I, as a cautious man of business, insisted upon having his signature as a surety.  Oh, we Norwegians are sharp fellows!