Rank.  What, macaroons?  I thought they were forbidden here.

Nora.  Yes, but these are some Christine gave me.

Mrs. Linde.  What!  I?—­

Nora.  Oh, well, don’t be alarmed!  You couldn’t know that Torvald had forbidden them.  I must tell you that he is afraid they will spoil my teeth.  But, bah!—­once in a way—­That’s so, isn’t it, Doctor Rank?  By your leave! (Puts a macaroon into his mouth.) You must have one too, Christine.  And I shall have one, just a little one—­or at most two. (Walking about.) I am tremendously happy.  There is just one thing in the world now that I should dearly love to do.

Rank.  Well, what is that?

Nora.  It’s something I should dearly love to say, if Torvald could hear me.

Rank.  Well, why can’t you say it?

Nora.  No, I daren’t; it’s so shocking.

Mrs. Linde.  Shocking?

Rank.  Well, I should not advise you to say it.  Still, with us you might.  What is it you would so much like to say if Torvald could hear you?

Nora.  I should just love to say—­Well, I’m damned!

Rank.  Are you mad?

Mrs. Linde.  Nora, dear—!

Rank.  Say it, here he is!

Nora (hiding the packet).  Hush!  Hush!  Hush! (Helmer comes out of his room, with his coat over his arm and his hat in his hand.)

Nora.  Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him?

Helmer.  Yes, he has just gone.

Nora.  Let me introduce you—­this is Christine, who has come to town.

Helmer.  Christine—?  Excuse me, but I don’t know—­

Nora.  Mrs. Linde, dear; Christine Linde.

Helmer.  Of course.  A school friend of my wife’s, I presume?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, we have known each other since then.

Nora.  And just think, she has taken a long journey in order to see you.

Helmer.  What do you mean?  Mrs. Linde.  No, really, I—­

Nora.  Christine is tremendously clever at book-keeping, and she is frightfully anxious to work under some clever man, so as to perfect herself—­

Helmer.  Very sensible, Mrs. Linde.

Nora.  And when she heard you had been appointed manager of the Bank—­the news was telegraphed, you know—­she travelled here as quick as she could.  Torvald, I am sure you will be able to do something for Christine, for my sake, won’t you?

Helmer.  Well, it is not altogether impossible.  I presume you are a widow, Mrs. Linde?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes.

Helmer.  And have had some experience of book-keeping?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, a fair amount.

Helmer.  Ah! well, it’s very likely I may be able to find something for you—­

Nora (clapping her hands).  What did I tell you?  What did I tell you?

Helmer.  You have just come at a fortunate moment, Mrs. Linde.

Mrs. Linde.  How am I to thank you?

Helmer.  There is no need. (Puts on his coat.) But today you must excuse me—­