KROGSTAD. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Helmer—— NORA. [_With a suppressed cry, turns round and half jumps up._] Ah! What do you want? KROGSTAD. Excuse me; the outer door was ajar—somebody must have forgotten to shut it—— NORA. [_Standing up._] My husband is not at home, Mr. Krogstad. KROGSTAD. I know it. NORA. Then what do you want here? KROGSTAD. To say a few words to you. NORA. To me? [_To the children, softly._] Go in to Anna. What? No, the strange man won’t hurt mamma. When he’s gone we’ll go on playing. [_She leads the children into the left-hand room, and shuts the door behind them. Uneasy, in suspense._] It is to me you wish to speak? KROGSTAD. Yes, to you. NORA. To-day? But it’s not the first yet—— KROGSTAD. No, to-day is Christmas Eve. It will depend upon yourself whether you have a merry Christmas. NORA. What do you want? I’m not ready to-day—— KROGSTAD. Never mind that just now. I have come about another matter. You have a minute to spare? NORA. Oh, yes, I suppose so; although—— KROGSTAD. Good. I was sitting in the restaurant opposite, and I saw your husband go down the street—— NORA. Well? KROGSTAD. ——with a lady NORA. What then? KROGSTAD. May I ask if the lady was a Mrs. Linden? NORA. Yes. KROGSTAD. Who has just come to town? NORA. Yes. To-day. KROGSTAD. I believe she is an intimate friend of yours? NORA. Certainly. But I don’t understand—— KROGSTAD. I used to know her too. NORA. I know you did. KROGSTAD. Ah! You know all about it. I thought as much. Now, frankly, is Mrs. Linden to have a place in the Bank? NORA. How dare you catechise me in this way, Mr. Krogstad—you, a subordinate of my husband’s? But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs. Linden is to be employed. And it is I who recommended her, Mr. Krogstad. Now you know. KROGSTAD. Then my guess was right. NORA.