Mrs. Linde (gathering some of the things together).  Certainly —­ but I am not going away from here until we have had it out with one another. (She goes into the room on the left, as Helmer comes in from the hall.)

Nora (going up to Helmer).  I have wanted you so much, Torvald dear.

Helmer.  Was that the dressmaker?

Nora.  No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress in order.  You will see I shall look quite smart.

Helmer.  Wasn’t that a happy thought of mine, now?

Nora.  Splendid!  But don’t you think it is nice of me, too, to do as you wish?

Helmer.  Nice?—­because you do as your husband wishes?  Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way.  But I am not going to disturb you; you will want to be trying on your dress, I expect.

Nora.  I suppose you are going to work.

Helmer.  Yes. (Shows her a bundle of papers.) Look at that.  I have just been into the bank. (Turns to go into his room.)

Nora.  Torvald.

Helmer.  Yes.

Nora.  If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very prettily—?

Helmer.  What then?

Nora.  Would you do it?

Helmer.  I should like to hear what it is, first.

Nora.  Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants.

Helmer.  Speak plainly.

Nora.  Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and falling—­

Helmer.  Well, my skylark does that anyhow.

Nora.  I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight,
Torvald.

Helmer.  Nora—­you surely don’t mean that request you made to me this morning?

Nora (going near him).  Yes, Torvald, I beg you so earnestly—­

Helmer.  Have you really the courage to open up that question again?

Nora.  Yes, dear, you must do as I ask; you must let Krogstad keep his post in the bank.

Helmer.  My dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs.
Linde shall have.

Nora.  Yes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you could just as well dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad.

Helmer.  This is simply incredible obstinacy!  Because you chose to give him a thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I am expected to—­

Nora.  That isn’t the reason, Torvald.  It is for your own sake.  This fellow writes in the most scurrilous newspapers; you have told me so yourself.  He can do you an unspeakable amount of harm.  I am frightened to death of him—­

Helmer.  Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past that scare you.

Nora.  What do you mean?

Helmer.  Naturally you are thinking of your father.

Nora.  Yes—­yes, of course.  Just recall to your mind what these malicious creatures wrote in the papers about papa, and how horribly they slandered him.  I believe they would have procured his dismissal if the Department had not sent you over to inquire into it, and if you had not been so kindly disposed and helpful to him.