I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought for you to the last, but it was of no use. KROGSTAD. Does your husband care for you so little? He knows what I can bring upon you, and yet he dares—— NORA. How could you think I should tell him? KROGSTAD. Well, as a matter of fact, I didn’t think it. It wasn’t like my friend Torvald Helmer to show so much courage—— NORA. Mr. Krogstad, be good enough to speak respectfully of my husband. KROGSTAD. Certainly, with all due respect. But since you are so anxious to keep the matter secret, I suppose you are a little clearer than yesterday as to what you have done. NORA. Clearer than you could ever make me. KROGSTAD. Yes, such a bad lawyer as I—— NORA. What is it you want? KROGSTAD. Only to see how you are getting on, Mrs. Helmer. I’ve been thinking about you all day. Even a mere money-lender, a gutter-journalist, a—in short, a creature like me—has a little bit of what people call feeling. NORA. Then show it; think of my little children. KROGSTAD. Did you and your husband think of mine? But enough of that. I only wanted to tell you that you needn’t take this matter too seriously. I shall not lodge any information, for the present. NORA. No, surely not. I knew you wouldn’t. KROGSTAD. The whole thing can be settled quite amicably. Nobody need know. It can remain among us three. NORA. My husband must never know. KROGSTAD. How can you prevent it? Can you pay off the balance? NORA. No, not at once. KROGSTAD. Or have you any means of raising the money in the next few days? NORA. None—that I will make use of. KROGSTAD. And if you had, it would not help you now. If you offered me ever so much money down, you should not get back your I.O.U. NORA. Tell me what you want to do with it. KROGSTAD. I only want to keep it—to have it in my possession. No outsider shall hear anything of it. So, if you have any desperate scheme in your head—— NORA. What if I have? KROGSTAD. If you should think of leaving your husband and children—— NORA. What if I do? KROGSTAD. Or if you should think of—something worse—— NORA. How do you know that?