Yes, but I can’t just now. Run to the nursery; I have so much to do. Run along, run along, and be good, my darlings! [_She pushes them gently into the inner room, and closes the door behind them. Sits on the sofa, embroiders a few stitches, but soon pauses._] No! [_Throws down the work, rises, goes to the hall door and calls out._] Ellen, bring in the Christmas-tree! [_Goes to table, left, and opens the drawer; again pauses._] No, it’s quite impossible! ELLEN. [_With Christmas-tree._] Where shall I stand it, ma’am? NORA. There, in the middle of the room. ELLEN. Shall I bring in anything else? NORA. No, thank you, I have all I want. [ELLEN, _having put down the tree, goes out._ NORA. [_Busy dressing the tree._] There must be a candle here—and flowers there.—That horrible man! Nonsense, nonsense! there’s nothing to be afraid of. The Christmas-tree shall be beautiful. I’ll do everything to please you, Torvald; I’ll sing and dance, and—— _Enter HELMER by the hall door, with a bundle of documents._ NORA. Oh! You’re back already? HELMER. Yes. Has anybody been here? NORA. Here? No. HELMER. That’s odd. I saw Krogstad come out of the house. NORA. Did you? Oh, yes, by-the-bye, he was here for a minute. HELMER. Nora, I can see by your manner that he has been begging you to put in a good word for him. NORA. Yes. HELMER. And you were to do it as if of your own accord? You were to say nothing to me of his having been here. Didn’t he suggest that too? NORA. Yes, Torvald; but—— HELMER. Nora, Nora! And you could condescend to that! To speak to such a man, to make him a promise! And then to tell me an untruth about it! NORA. An untruth! HELMER. Didn’t you say that nobody had been here? [_Threatens with his finger._] My little bird must never do that again! A song-bird must sing clear and true; no false notes. [_Puts his arm round her._] That’s so, isn’t it? Yes, I was sure of it. [_Lets her go._] And now we’ll say no more about it. [_Sits down before the fire._] Oh, how cosy and quiet it is here! [_Glances into his documents._ NORA. [_Busy with the tree, after a short silence._] Torvald! HELMER. Yes. NORA. I’m looking forward so much to the Stenborgs’ fancy ball the day after to-morrow.