But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.

NORA

Yes, it is really wonderful.

HELMER

This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands—

NORA

(Clapping her hands.) No, Torvald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (Taking his arm.) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over—(A bell rings in the hall.) There’s the bell. (She tidies the room a little.) There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance!

HELMER

If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.

MAID

(In the doorway.) A lady to see you, ma’am,—a stranger.

NORA

Ask her to come in.

MAID

(To HELMER) The doctor came at the same time, sir.

HELMER

Did he go straight into my room?

MAID

Yes, sir.

(HELMER goes into his room. The MAID ushers in MRS. LINDE, who is in travelling dress, and shuts the door.)

MRS. LINDE

(In a dejected and timid voice.) How do you do, Nora?

NORA

(Doubtfully.) How do you do—

MRS. LINDE

You don’t recognise me, I suppose.

NORA

No, I don’t know—yes, to be sure, I seem to—(Suddenly.) Yes! Christine! Is it really you?

MRS. LINDE

Yes, it is I.

NORA

Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I—(In a gentle voice.) How you have altered, Christine!

MRS. LINDE

Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years—

NORA

Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter—that was plucky of you.

MRS. LINDE

I arrived by steamer this morning.

NORA

To have some fun at Christmastime, of course. How delightful! We will have such fun together! But take off your things. You are not cold, I hope. (Helps her.) Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. No, take this armchair; I will sit here in the rocking chair. (Takes her hands.) Now you look like your old self again; it was only the first moment—You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.

MRS. LINDE

And much, much older, Nora.

NORA

Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. (Stops suddenly and speaks seriously.) What a thoughtless creature I am, chattering away like this. My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me.

MRS. LINDE

What do you mean, Nora?

NORA

(Gently.) Poor Christine, you are a widow.

MRS. LINDE

Yes; it is three years ago now.

NORA

Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine, I meant ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something always prevented me.

MRS. LINDE

I quite understand, dear.

NORA

It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. And he left you nothing?

MRS. LINDE

No.

NORA

And no children?

MRS. LINDE

No.

NORA

Nothing at all, then.

MRS.