HELMER.
When did my squirrel come home?
NORA.
Just now. [Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.] Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
HELMER.
Don’t disturb me. [A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.] Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
NORA.
Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.
HELMER.
Still, you know, we can’t spend money recklessly.
NORA.
Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn’t we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.
HELMER.
Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.
NORA.
Pooh! we can borrow until then.
HELMER.
Nora! [Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear.] The same little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year’s Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me, and—
NORA.
[putting her hands over his mouth]. Oh! don’t say such horrid things.