Maid (coming in with the Tree).  Where shall I put it, ma’am?

Nora.  Here, in the middle of the floor.

Maid.  Shall I get you anything else?

Nora.  No, thank you.  I have all I want.

[Exit MAID

Nora (begins dressing the tree).  A candle here—­and flowers here—.  The horrible man!  It’s all nonsense—­there’s nothing wrong.  The Tree shall be splendid!  I will do everything I can think of to please you, Torvald!—­I will sing for you, dance for you—­(HELMER comes in with some papers under his arm.) Oh! are you back already?

Helmer.  Yes.  Has anyone been here?

Nora.  Here?  No.

Helmer.  That is strange.  I saw Krogstad going out of the gate.

Nora.  Did you?  Oh yes, I forgot Krogstad was here for a moment.

Helmer.  Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been here begging you to say a good word for him.

Nora.  Yes.

Helmer.  And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were to conceal from me the fact of his having been here; didn’t he beg that of you too?

Nora.  Yes, Torvald, but—­

Helmer.  Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort of thing?  To have any talk with a man like that, and give him any sort of promise?  And to tell me a lie into the bargain?

Nora.  A lie—?

Helmer.  Didn’t you tell me no one had been here? (Shakes his finger at her.) My little song-bird must never do that again.  A song-bird must have a clean beak to chirp with—­no false notes! (Puts his arm round her waist.) That is so, isn’t it?  Yes, I am sure it is. (Lets her go.) We will say no more about it. (Sits down by the stove.) How warm and snug it is here! (Turns over his papers.)

Nora (after a short pause, during which she busies herself with the Christmas Tree).  Torvald!

Helmer.  Yes.

Nora:  I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy dress ball at the Stensborgs’ the day after tomorrow.

Helmer.  And I am tremendously curious to see what you are going to surprise me with.

Nora.  It was very silly of me to want to do that.

Helmer.  What do you mean?

Nora.  I can’t hit upon anything that will do; everything I think of seems so silly and insignificant.

Helmer.  Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?

Nora (standing behind his chair with her arms on the back of it).  Are you very busy, Torvald?

Helmer.  Well—­

Nora.  What are all those papers?

Helmer.  Bank business.

Nora.  Already?

Helmer.  I have got authority from the retiring manager to undertake the necessary changes in the staff and in the rearrangement of the work; and I must make use of the Christmas week for that, so as to have everything in order for the new year.