_Nora_. Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money. _Helmer_. Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due. _Nora_. Pooh! we can borrow till then. _Helmer_. Nora! (_Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear_.) The same little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year's Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me, and-- _Nora_ (_putting her hands over his mouth_). Oh! don't say such horrid things. _Helmer_. Still, suppose that happened,--what then? _Nora_. If that were to happen, I don't suppose I should care whether I owed money or not. _Helmer_. Yes, but what about the people who had lent it? _Nora_. They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who they were. _Helmer_. That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle. _Nora_ (_moving towards the stove_). As you please, Torvald. _Helmer_ (_following her_). Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? (_Taking out his purse_.) Nora, what do you think I have got here? _Nora_ (_turning round quickly_). Money! _Helmer_. There you are. (_Gives her some money_.) Do you think I don't know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time? _Nora_ (_counting_). Ten shillings--a pound--two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time. _Helmer_. Indeed it must. _Nora_. Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And ah so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly's bedstead for Emmy.--they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better. _Helmer_. And what is in this parcel? _Nora_ (_crying out_). No, no! you mustn't see that till this evening. _Helmer_. Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant little person, what would you like for yourself? _Nora_. For myself? Oh, I am sure I don't want anything. _Helmer_. Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that you would particularly like to have. _Nora_. No, I really can't think of anything--unless, Torvald-- _Helmer_. Well? _Nora_ (_playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyes to his_). If you really want to give me something, you might--you might-- _Helmer_. Well, out with it!