_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, that is what I told you yesterday, but-- _Nora_ (_walking up and down_). A man can put a thing like that straight much easier than a woman-- _Mrs. Linde_. One's husband, yes. _Nora_. Nonsense! (_Standing still_.) When you pay off a debt you get your bond back, don't you? _Mrs. Linde_. Yes, as a matter of course. _Nora_. And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up--the nasty, dirty paper! _Mrs. Linde_ (_looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly_). Nora, you are concealing something from me. _Nora_. Do I look as if I were? _Mrs. Linde_. Something has happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, what is it? _Nora_ (_going nearer to her_). Christine! (_Listens_.) Hush! there's Torvald come home. Do you mind going in to the children for the present? Torvald can't bear to see dressmaking going on. Let Anne help you. _Mrs. Linde_ (_gathering some of the things together_). Certainly--but I am not going away from here till 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_ HELMAR). 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 of 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.