Nora (appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her head).  Nonsense!  Trying to frighten me like that!—­I am not so silly as he thinks. (Begins to busy herself putting the children’s things in order.) And yet—?  No, it’s impossible!  I did it for love’s sake.

The Children (in the doorway on the left).  Mother, the stranger man has gone out through the gate.

Nora.  Yes, dears, I know.  But, don’t tell anyone about the stranger man.  Do you hear?  Not even papa.

Children.  No, mother; but will you come and play again?

Nora.  No, no,—­not now.

Children.  But, mother, you promised us.

Nora.  Yes, but I can’t now.  Run away in; I have such a lot to do.  Run away in, my sweet little darlings. (She gets them into the room by degrees and shuts the door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a piece of needlework and sews a few stitches, but soon stops.) No! (Throws down the work, gets up, goes to the hall door and calls out.) Helen! bring the Tree in. (Goes to the table on the left, opens a drawer, and stops again.) No, no! it is quite impossible!

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 songbird must never do that again.  A songbird 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!