I hope it may be easier here to find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to get some regular work—office work of some kind—

NORA

But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. You had far better go away to some watering-place.

MRS. LINDE

(Walking to the window.) I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.

NORA

(Rising.) Oh, don’t be angry with me!

MRS. LINDE

(Going up to her.) It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. The worst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for chances. One must live, and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortunes have taken—you will hardly believe it—I was delighted not so much on your account as on my own.

NORA

How do you mean?—Oh, I understand. You mean that perhaps Torvald could get you something to do.

MRS. LINDE

Yes, that was what I was thinking of.

NORA

He must, Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach the subject very cleverly—I will think of something that will please him very much. It will make me so happy to be of some use to you.

MRS. LINDE

How kind you are, Nora, to be so anxious to help me! It is doubly kind in you, for you know so little of the burdens and troubles of life.

NORA

I—? I know so little of them?

MRS. LINDE

(Smiling.) My dear! Small household cares and that sort of thing!—You are a child, Nora.

NORA

(Tosses her head and crosses the stage.) You ought not to be so superior.

MRS. LINDE

No?

NORA

You are just like the others. They all think that I am incapable of anything really serious—

MRS. LINDE

Come, come—

NORA

—that I have gone through nothing in this world of cares.

MRS. LINDE

But, my dear Nora, you have just told me all your troubles.

NORA

Pooh!—those were trifles. (Lowering her voice.) I have not told you the important thing.

MRS. LINDE

The important thing? What do you mean?

NORA

You look down upon me altogether, Christine—but you ought not to. You are proud, aren’t you, of having worked so hard and so long for your mother?

MRS. LINDE

Indeed, I don’t look down on anyone. But it is true that I am both proud and glad to think that I was privileged to make the end of my mother’s life almost free from care.

NORA

And you are proud to think of what you have done for your brothers?

MRS. LINDE

I think I have the right to be.

NORA

I think so, too. But now, listen to this; I too have something to be proud and glad of.

MRS. LINDE

I have no doubt you have. But what do you refer to?

NORA

Speak low. Suppose Torvald were to hear! He mustn’t on any account—no one in the world must know, Christine, except you.

MRS. LINDE

But what is it?

NORA

Come here.