Torvald Helmer. Nora, his wife. Doctor Rank. Mrs Linde. Nils Krogstad. Helmer’s three young children. Anne, their nurse. A Housemaid. A Porter.
_[The action takes place in Helmer’s house.]_
_[SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between the doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, arm-chairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter._
_A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.]_
NORA. Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. _[To the PORTER, taking out her purse.]_ How much?
NORA. There is a shilling. No, keep the change. _[The PORTER thanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens.]_ Yes, he is in. _[Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.]_
HELMER. _[calls out from his room]_. Is that my little lark twittering out there?
NORA. _[busy opening some of the parcels]_. Yes, it is!
HELMER. Is it my little squirrel bustling about?
HELMER. When did my squirrel come home?
NORA. Just now. _[Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.]_ Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
HELMER. Don’t disturb me. _[A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.]_ Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
NORA. Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.
HELMER. Still, you know, we can’t spend money recklessly.