[_Stroking her hair._] Do--it is a natural and innocent outburst--you are such a child! But I am a widow, and want employment. _Do_ you think your husband could find me a place as clerk in his Bank? [_Proudly._] I am an excellent knitter!
That would really be awfully funny. [_To_ HELMER, _who enters._] Torvald, this is Christina; she wants to be a clerk in your Bank--_do_ let her! She thinks such a lot of _you_. [_To herself._] Another taradiddle!
She is a sensible woman, and deserves encouragement. Come along, Mrs. Linden, and we'll see what we can do for you.
[_He goes out through the hall with_ MRS. LINDEN, _and the front-door is heard to slam after them._
[_Opens door, and calls._] Now, Emmy, Ivar, and Bob, come in and have a romp with Mamma--we will play hide-and-seek. [_She gets under the table, smiling in quiet satisfaction_; KROGSTAD _enters_--NORA _pounces out upon him._] Boo!... Oh, I beg your pardon. I don't do this kind of thing _generally_--though I may be a little silly.
[_Politely._] Don't mention it. I called because I happened to see your husband go out with Mrs. Linden--from which, being a person of considerable penetration, I infer that he is about to give her my post at the Bank. Now, as you owe me the balance of £300, for which I hold your acknowledgment, you will see the propriety of putting a stop to this little game at once.
But I don't at all--not a little wee bit! I'm so childish, you know--why _should_ I?
I will try to make it plain to the meanest capacity. When you came to me for the loan, I naturally required some additional security. Your father, being a shady Government official, without a penny--for, if he had possessed one, he would presumably have left it to you--without a penny, then--I, as a cautious man of business, insisted upon having his signature as a surety. Oh, we Norwegians are sharp fellows!
Well, you _got_ papa's signature, didn't you?
Oh, I _got_ it right enough. Unfortunately, it was dated three days after his decease--now, how do you account for _that_?
How? Why, as poor Papa was dead, and couldn't sign, I signed _for_ him, that's all! Only somehow I forgot to put the date back. _That's_ how. Didn't I _tell_ you I was a silly, unbusiness like little thing? It's very simple.