Maid.  Yes, but it was no good.

Nora.  He won’t go away?

Maid.  No; he says he won’t until he has seen you, ma’am.

Nora.  Well, let him come in—­but quietly.  Helen, you mustn’t say anything about it to any one.  It is a surprise for my husband.

Maid.  Yes, ma’am, I quite understand. (Exit.)

Nora.  This dreadful thing is going to happen.  It will happen in spite of me!  No, no, no, it can’t happen—­it shan’t happen! (She bolts the door of HELMER’S room.  The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts it after him.  He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur cap.)

Nora (advancing towards him).  Speak low—­my husband is at home.

Krogstad.  No matter about that.

Nora.  What do you want of me?

Krogstad.  An explanation of something.

Nora.  Make haste then.  What is it?

Krogstad.  You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.

Nora.  I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad.  I fought as hard as I could on your side, but it was no good.

Krogstad.  Does your husband love you so little, then?  He knows what I can expose you to, and yet he ventures—­

Nora.  How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?

Krogstad.  I didn’t suppose so at all.  It would not be the least like our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage—­

Nora.  Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.

Krogstad.  Certainly—­all the respect he deserves.  But since you have kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that you have a little clearer idea than you had yesterday, of what it actually is that you have done?

Nora.  More than you could ever teach me.

Krogstad.  Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am.

Nora.  What is it you want of me?

Krogstad.  Only to see how you were, Mrs. Helmer.  I have been thinking about you all day long.  A mere cashier—­a quill-driver, a—­well, a man like me—­even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know.

Nora.  Show it, then; think of my little children.

Krogstad.  Have you and your husband thought of mine?  But never mind about that.  I only wanted to tell you that you need not take this matter too seriously.  In the first place there will be no accusation made on my part.

Nora.  No, of course not; I was sure of that.

Krogstad.  The whole thing can be arranged amicably; there is no reason why anyone should know anything about it.  It will remain a secret between us three.

Nora.  My husband must never get to know anything about it.

Krogstad.  How will you be able to prevent it?  Am I to understand that you can pay the balance that is owing?