Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/89

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Helmer.

And I'm on tenterhooks to see what surprise you have in store for me.

Nora.

Oh, it's too tiresome!

Helmer.

What is?

Nora.

I can't think of anything good. Everything seems so foolish and meaningless.

Helmer.

Has little Nora made that discovery?

Nora.

[Behind his chair, with her arms on the back] Are you very busy, Torvald?

Helmer.

Well——

Nora.

What papers are those?

Helmer.

Bank business.

Nora.

Already!

Helmer.

I have got the retiring manager to let me make some necessary changes in the staff and the organization. I can do this during Christmas week. I want to have everything straight by the New Year.