(A bell is heard in the hall.)

MRS. LINDE

(Rising.) There is the bell; perhaps I had better go.

NORA

No, don’t go; no one will come in here; it is sure to be for Torvald.

SERVANT

(At the hall door.) Excuse me, ma’am—there is a gentleman to see the master, and as the doctor is with him—

NORA

Who is it?

KROGSTAD

(At the door.) It is I, Mrs. Helmer. (MRS. LINDE starts, trembles, and turns to the window.)

NORA

(Takes a step towards him, and speaks in a strained, low voice.) You? What is it? What do you want to see my husband about?

KROGSTAD

Bank business—in a way. I have a small post in the Bank, and I hear your husband is to be our chief now—

NORA

Then it is—

KROGSTAD

Nothing but dry business matters, Mrs. Helmer; absolutely nothing else.

NORA

Be so good as to go into the study, then. (She bows indifferently to him and shuts the door into the hall; then comes back and makes up the fire in the stove.)

MRS. LINDE

Nora—who was that man?

NORA

A lawyer, of the name of Krogstad.

MRS. LINDE

Then it really was he.

NORA

Do you know the man?

MRS. LINDE

I used to—many years ago. At one time he was a solicitor’s clerk in our town.

NORA

Yes, he was.

MRS. LINDE

He is greatly altered.

NORA

He made a very unhappy marriage.

MRS. LINDE

He is a widower now, isn’t he?

NORA

With several children. There now, it is burning up. (Shuts the door of the stove and moves the rocking chair aside.)

MRS. LINDE

They say he carries on various kinds of business.

NORA

Really! Perhaps he does; I don’t know anything about it. But don’t let us think of business; it is so tiresome.

DOCTOR RANK

(Comes out of HELMER’S study. Before he shuts the door he calls to him). No, my dear fellow, I won’t disturb you; I would rather go in to your wife for a little while. (Shuts the door and sees MRS. LINDE) I beg your pardon; I am afraid I am disturbing you too.

NORA

No, not at all. (Introducing him.) Doctor Rank, Mrs. Linde.

RANK

I have often heard Mrs. Linde’s name mentioned here. I think I passed you on the stairs when I arrived, Mrs. Linde?

MRS. LINDE

Yes, I go up very slowly; I can’t manage stairs well.

RANK

Ah! some slight internal weakness?

MRS. LINDE

No, the fact is I have been overworking myself.

RANK

Nothing more than that? Then I suppose you have come to town to amuse yourself with our entertainments?

MRS. LINDE

I have come to look for work.

RANK

Is that a good cure for overwork?

MRS.