card_.)

_Nora_ (_glancing at the card_). Oh! (_Puts it in her pocket_.)

_Rank_. Is there anything wrong?

_Nora_. No, no, not in the least. It is only something--It is my new
dress--

_Rank_. What? Your dress is lying there.

_Nora_. Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald
mustn't know about it--

_Rank_. Oho! Then that was the great secret.

_Nora_. Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room.
Keep him as long as--

_Rank_. Make your mind easy; I won't let him escape. (_Goes into_
HELMER'S _room_.)

_Nora_ (_to the_ MAID). And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?

_Maid_. Yes; he came up the back stairs.

_Nora_. But didn't you tell him no one was in?

_Maid_. Yes, but it was no good.

_Nora_. He won't go away?

_Maid_. No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am.

_Nora_. Well, let him come in--but quietly. Helen, you mustn't say
anything about it to any one. It is a surprise for my husband.

_Maid_. Yes, ma'am, I quite understand. (_Exit_.)

_Nora_. This dreadful thing is going to happen. It will happen in spite
of me! No, no, no, it can't happen--it shan't happen! (_She bolts the
door of_ HELMER'S _room. The_ MAID _opens the hall door for_ KROGSTAD
_and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur
cap_.)

_Nora_ (_advancing towards him_). Speak low--my husband is at home.

_Krogstad_. No matter about that.

_Nora_. What do you want of me?

_Krogstad_. An explanation of something.

_Nora_. Make haste then. What is it?

_Krogstad_. You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.

_Nora_. I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could
on your side, but it was no good.

_Krogstad_. Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I
can expose you to, and yet he ventures--

_Nora_. How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?

_Krogstad_. I didn't suppose so at all. It would not be the least like
our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage--

_Nora_. Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.

_Krogstad_. Certainly--all the respect he deserves. But since you have
kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that
you have a little clearer idea than you had yesterday, of what it
actually is that you have done?

_Nora_. More than you could ever teach me.

_Krogstad_. Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am.

_Nora_. What is it you want of me