MRS LINDE.
[looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly]. Nora, you are concealing something from me.
NORA.
Do I look as if I were?
MRS LINDE.
Something has happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, what is it?
NORA.
[going nearer to her]. Christine! [Listens.] Hush! there’s Torvald come home. Do you mind going in to the children for the present? Torvald can’t bear to see dressmaking going on. Let Anne help you.
MRS LINDE.
[gathering some of the things together]. Certainly—but I am not going away from here until we have had it out with one another. [She goes into the room on the left, as HELMER comes in from the hall.]
NORA.
[going up to HELMER]. I have wanted you so much, Torvald dear.
HELMER.
Was that the dressmaker?
NORA.
No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress in order. You will see I shall look quite smart.
HELMER.
Wasn’t that a happy thought of mine, now?
NORA.
Splendid! But don’t you think it is nice of me, too, to do as you wish?