GIBSON: No, I don't mind what gate you come in.
NORA [coming down to join them]: How do you do! [Gives him her hand.]
GIBSON: How do you do!
CARTER [on the other side of her]: How do you do, Miss Gorodna!
NORA [for a brief moment confused that she has not noticed Carter]: Oh—oh, how do you do, Mr. Carter! [Turns and shakes hands with him. She turns again, facing GIBSON.] I just heard you were here. I wanted to bring you this copy of Montaigne—if you'll forgive me for keeping it a year.
GIBSON: I gave it to you. Don't you—remember?
NORA: Yes, I—remember. But things were different then. Please. I think I oughtn't to keep it now. [He takes it, places it gently upon the table; they sit facing each other; she speaks more cheerfully and briskly.] I came to see you on a matter of business, too.
CARTER: Well, then, I'll just be—
NORA: Oh, no! Please stay, Mr. Carter! It's a factory matter. [CARTER coughs and sits. NORA continues, not pausing for that.] It was about that great stock of wire you had your purchasing agent buy just before the—before you went away, Mr. Gibson.
GIBSON: I'm glad to see you looking so well, Miss Gorodna.