Krogstad.  Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer.

Nora (with a stifled cry, turns round and gets up on to her knees).  Ah! what do you want?

Krogstad.  Excuse me, the outer door was ajar; I suppose someone forgot to shut it.

Nora (rising).  My husband is out, Mr. Krogstad.

Krogstad.  I know that.

Nora.  What do you want here, then?

Krogstad.  A word with you.

Nora.  With me?—­(To the children, gently.) Go in to nurse.  What?  No, the strange man won’t do mother any harm.  When he has gone we will have another game. (She takes the children into the room on the left, and shuts the door after them.) You want to speak to me?

Krogstad.  Yes, I do.

Nora.  Today?  It is not the first of the month yet.

Krogstad.  No, it is Christmas Eve, and it will depend on yourself what sort of a Christmas you will spend.

Nora.  What do you mean?  Today it is absolutely impossible for me—­

Krogstad.  We won’t talk about that until later on.  This is something different.  I presume you can give me a moment?

Nora.  Yes—­yes, I can—­although—­

Krogstad.  Good.  I was in Olsen’s Restaurant and saw your husband going down the street—­

Nora.  Yes?

Krogstad.  With a lady.

Nora.  What then?

Krogstad.  May I make so bold as to ask if it was a Mrs. Linde?

Nora.  It was.

Krogstad.  Just arrived in town?

Nora.  Yes, today.

Krogstad.  She is a great friend of yours, isn’t she?

Nora.  She is.  But I don’t see—­

Krogstad.  I knew her too, once upon a time.

Nora.  I am aware of that.

Krogstad.  Are you?  So you know all about it; I thought as much.  Then I can ask you, without beating about the bush—­is Mrs. Linde to have an appointment in the Bank?

Nora.  What right have you to question me, Mr. Krogstad?—­You, one of my husband’s subordinates!  But since you ask, you shall know.  Yes, Mrs. Linde is to have an appointment.  And it was I who pleaded her cause, Mr. Krogstad, let me tell you that.

Krogstad.  I was right in what I thought, then.

Nora (walking up and down the stage).  Sometimes one has a tiny little bit of influence, I should hope.  Because one is a woman, it does not necessarily follow that—.  When anyone is in a subordinate position, Mr. Krogstad, they should really be careful to avoid offending anyone who—­who—­

Krogstad.  Who has influence?

Nora.  Exactly.

Krogstad (changing his tone).  Mrs. Helmer, you will be so good as to use your influence on my behalf.

Nora.  What?  What do you mean?

Krogstad.  You will be so kind as to see that I am allowed to keep my subordinate position in the Bank.

Nora.  What do you mean by that?  Who proposes to take your post away from you?