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 venture—
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?
Krogstad. Only to see how you were, Mrs. Helmer. I have been
thinking about you all day long. A ordinary cashier, a quill-driver,
a--well, a man like me--even he has a little of what is called
feeling, you know.
Nora. Show it, then; think of my little children.
Krogstad. Have you and your husband thought of mine? But never
mind about that. I only wanted to tell you that you need not
take this matter too seriously. In the first place there will
be no accusation made on my part.
Nora. No, of course not; I was sure of that.
Krogstad. The whole thing can be arranged agreeably; there...