Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/44

 position and ample means. Isn't it delightful to think of?

Nora.

Oh, it's wonderful!

Helmer.

Do you remember last Christmas? For three whole weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening till long past midnight to make flowers for the Christmas-tree, and all sorts of other marvels that were to have astonished us. I was never so bored in my life.

Nora.

I didn't bore myself at all.

Helmer.

[Smiling.] But it came to little enough in the end, Nora.

Nora.

Oh, are you going to tease me about that again? How could I help the cat getting in and pulling it all to pieces?

Helmer.

To be sure you couldn't, my poor little Nora. You did your best to give us all pleasure, and that's the main point. But, all the same, it's a good thing the hard times are over.

Nora.

Oh, isn't it wonderful?

Helmer.

Now I needn't sit here boring myself all alone; and you needn't tire your blessed eyes and your delicate little fingers