[_Runs to meet him._] Oh, how I’ve been longing for you to come, Torvald dear! HELMER. Was that the dressmaker——? NORA. No, Christina. She’s helping me with my costume. You’ll see how nice I shall look. HELMER. Yes, wasn’t that a happy thought of mine? NORA. Splendid! But isn’t it good of me, too, to have given in to you about the tarantella? HELMER. [_Takes her under the chin._] Good of you! To give in to your own husband? Well well, you little madcap, I know you don’t mean it. But I won’t disturb you. I daresay you want to be “trying on.” NORA. And you are going to work, I suppose? HELMER. Yes. [_Shows her a bundle of papers._] Look here. I’ve just come from the Bank—— [_Goes towards his room._ NORA. Torvald. HELMER. [_Stopping._] Yes? NORA. If your little squirrel were to beg you for something so prettily—— HELMER. Well? NORA. Would you do it? HELMER. I must know first what it is. NORA. The squirrel would skip about and play all sorts of tricks if you would only be nice and kind. HELMER. Come, then, out with it. NORA. Your lark would twitter from morning till night—— HELMER Oh, that she does in any case. NORA. I’ll be an elf and dance in the moonlight for you, Torvald. HELMER. Nora—you can’t mean what you were hinting at this morning? NORA. [_Coming nearer._] Yes, Torvald, I beg and implore you! HELMER. Have you really the courage to begin that again? NORA. Yes, yes; for my sake, you _must_ let Krogstad keep his place in the Bank. HELMER. My dear Nora, it’s his place I intend for Mrs. Linden. NORA. Yes, that’s so good of you. But instead of Krogstad, you could dismiss some other clerk. HELMER. Why, this is incredible obstinacy! Because you have thoughtlessly promised to put in a word for him, I am to——! NORA. It’s not that, Torvald. It’s for your own sake. This man writes for the most scurrilous newspapers; you said so yourself. He can do you no end of harm. I’m so terribly afraid of him—— HELMER. Ah, I understand; it’s old recollections that are frightening you.