_Helmer_. No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can't think how I am looking forward to this evening. _Nora_. So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald! _Helmer_. It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It's delightful to think of, isn't it? _Nora_. It's wonderful! _Helmer_. Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening till long after midnight, making ornaments for the Christmas Tree and all the other fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever spent! _Nora_. I didn't find it dull. _Helmer_ (_smiling_). But there was precious little result, Nora. _Nora_. Oh, you shouldn't tease me about that again. How could I help the cat's going in and tearing everything to pieces? _Helmer_. Of course you couldn't, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that's the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over. _Nora_. Yes, it is really wonderful. _Helmer_. This time I needn't sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn't ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands-- _Nora_ (_clapping her hands_). No, Torvald, I needn't any longer, need I! It's wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (_Taking his arm_.) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over--(_A bell rings in the hall_.) There's the bell. (_She tidies the room a little_.) There's someone at the door. What a nuisance! _Helmer_. If it is a caller, remember I am not at home. _Maid_ (_in the doorway_). A lady to see you, ma'am,--a stranger. _Nora_. Ask her to come in. _Maid_ (_to_ HELMER). The doctor came at the same time, sir. _Helmer_. Did he go straight into my room? _Maid_. Yes, sir. (HELMER _goes into his room. The_ MAID _ushers in_ MRS. LINDE, _who is in traveling dress, and shuts the door_.) _Mrs Linde_ (_in a dejected and timid voice_). How do you do, Nora? _Nora_ (_doubtfully_). How do you do-- _Mrs. Linde_. You don't recognize me, I suppose. _Nora_ No, I don't know--yes, to be sure, I seem to--(_Suddenly_.) Yes! Christine! Is it really you? _Mrs. Linde_. Yes, it is I. _Nora_. Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I--(_In a gentle voice_.) How you have altered, Christine! _Mrs. Linde_. Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years-- _Nora_. Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter--that was plucky of you. _Mrs. Linde_. I arrived by steamer this morning.