e. Oh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything.

Nora. Do you think so? Do you think they would forget their mother if
she went away altogether?

Nurse. Good heavens!--went away altogether?

Nora. Nurse, I want you to tell me something I have often wondered
about--how could you have the heart to put your own child out among
strangers?

Nurse. I was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora's nurse.

Nora. Yes, but how could you be willing to do it?

Nurse. What, when I was going to get such a good place by it? A poor
girl who has got into trouble should be glad to. Besides, that wicked
man didn't do a single thing for me.

Nora. But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten you.

Nurse. No, indeed she hasn't. She wrote to me when she was confirmed,
and when she was married.

Nora (putting her arms round her neck). Dear old Anne, you were a good
mother to me when I was little.

Nurse. Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me. Nora. And if
my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would--What nonsense
I am talking! (Opens the box.) Go in to them. Now I must--. You will see
tomorrow how charming I shall look.

Nurse. I am sure there will be no one at the ball so charming as you,
ma'am. (Goes into the room on the left.)

Nora (begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from her). If
only I dared go out. If only no one would come. If only I could be sure
nothing would happen here in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense! No one
will come. Only I mustn't think about it. I will brush my muff. What
lovely, lovely gloves! Out of my thoughts, out of my thoughts! One,
two, three, four, five, six-- (Screams.) Ah! there is someone coming--.
(Makes a movement towards the door, but stands irresolute.)

(Enter MRS. LINDE from the hall, where she has taken off her cloak and
hat.)

Nora. Oh, it's you, Christine. There is no one else out there, is there?
How good of you to come!

Mrs. Linde. I heard you were up asking for me.

Nora. Yes, I was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is something
you could help me with. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Look here.
Tomorrow evening there is to be a fancy-dress ball at the Stenborgs',
who live above us; and Torvald wants me to go as a Neapolitan
fisher-girl, and dance the Tarantella that I learned at Capri.

Mrs. Linde. I see; you are going to keep up the character.

Nora. Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald had it