KROGSTAD. Maybe. But matters of business—such business as you and I have had together—do you think I don’t understand that? Very well. Do as you please. But let me tell you this—if I lose my position a second time, you shall lose yours with me. _[He bows, and goes out through the hall.]_ NORA. _[appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her head]_. Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that!—I am not so silly as he thinks. _[Begins to busy herself putting the children’s things in order.]_ And yet—? No, it’s impossible! I did it for love’s sake. THE CHILDREN. _[in the doorway on the left]_. Mother, the stranger man has gone out through the gate. NORA. Yes, dears, I know. But, don’t tell anyone about the stranger man. Do you hear? Not even papa. CHILDREN. No, mother; but will you come and play again? NORA. No, no,—not now. CHILDREN. But, mother, you promised us. NORA. Yes, but I can’t now. Run away in; I have such a lot to do. Run away in, my sweet little darlings. _[She gets them into the room by degrees and shuts the door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a piece of needlework and sews a few stitches, but soon stops.]_ No! _[Throws down the work, gets up, goes to the hall door and calls out.]_ Helen! bring the Tree in. _[Goes to the table on the left, opens a drawer, and stops again.]_ No, no! it is quite impossible! MAID. _[coming in with the Tree]_. Where shall I put it, ma’am? NORA. Here, in the middle of the floor. MAID. Shall I get you anything else? NORA. No, thank you. I have all I want. [Exit MAID.] NORA. _[begins dressing the tree]_. A candle here-and flowers here—The horrible man! It’s all nonsense—there’s nothing wrong. The tree shall be splendid! I will do everything I can think of to please you, Torvald!—I will sing for you, dance for you—_[HELMER comes in with some papers under his arm.]_ Oh! are you back already? HELMER. Yes. Has anyone been here? NORA. Here? No. HELMER. That is strange. I saw Krogstad going out of the gate. NORA. Did you? Oh yes, I forgot, Krogstad was here for a moment. HELMER. Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been here begging you to say a good word for him. NORA. Yes. HELMER. And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were to conceal from me the fact of his having been here; didn’t he beg that of you too? NORA. Yes, Torvald, but— HELMER. Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort of thing? To have any talk with a man like that, and give him any sort of promise? And to tell me a lie into the bargain? NORA. A lie—? HELMER. Didn’t you tell me no one had been here? _[Shakes his finger at her.]_ My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird must have a clean beak to chirp with—no false notes! _[Puts his arm round her waist.]_ That is so, isn’t it? Yes, I am sure it is. _[Lets her go.]_ We will say no more about it. _[Sits down by the stove.]_ How warm and snug it is here! _[Turns over his papers.]_