_Nora_. Yes--you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom one would almost always rather have as companions. _Rank_. Yes, there is something in that. _Nora_. When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always thought it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids' room, because they never moralized at all, and talked to each other about such entertaining things. _Rank_. I see--it is their place I have taken. _Nora_ (_jumping-up and going to him_). Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a little like being with papa--(_Enter_ MAID _from the hall_.) _Maid_. If you please, ma'am. (_Whispers and hands her a card_.) _Nora_ (_glancing at the card_). Oh! (_Puts it in her pocket_.) _Rank_. Is there anything wrong? _Nora_. No, no, not in the least. It is only something--It is my new dress-- _Rank_. What? Your dress is lying there. _Nora_. Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn't know about it-- _Rank_. Oho! Then that was the great secret. _Nora_. Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room. Keep him as long as-- _Rank_. Make your mind easy; I won't let him escape. (_Goes into_ HELMER'S _room_.) _Nora_ (_to the_ MAID). And he is standing waiting in the kitchen? _Maid_. Yes; he came up the back stairs. _Nora_. But didn't you tell him no one was in? _Maid_. Yes, but it was no good. _Nora_. He won't go away? _Maid_. No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am. _Nora_. Well, let him come in--but quietly. Helen, you mustn't say anything about it to any one. It is a surprise for my husband. _Maid_. Yes, ma'am, I quite understand. (_Exit_.) _Nora_. This dreadful thing is going to happen. It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can't happen--it shan't happen! (_She bolts the door of_ HELMER'S _room. The_ MAID _opens the hall door for_ KROGSTAD _and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur cap_.) _Nora_ (_advancing towards him_). Speak low--my husband is at home. _Krogstad_. No matter about that. _Nora_. What do you want of me? _Krogstad_. An explanation of something. _Nora_. Make haste then. What is it? _Krogstad_. You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal. _Nora_. I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could on your side, but it was no good. _Krogstad_. Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I can expose you to, and yet he ventures-- _Nora_. How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort? _Krogstad_. I didn't suppose so at all. It would not be the least like our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage-- _Nora_. Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.