Mrs Linde (in a dejected and timid voice).  How do you do, Nora?

Nora (doubtfully).  How do you do—­

Mrs. Linde.  You don’t recognize me, I suppose.

Nora No, I don’t know—­yes, to be sure, I seem to—­(Suddenly.) Yes!  Christine!  Is it really you?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, it is I.

Nora.  Christine!  To think of my not recognising you!  And yet how could I—­(In a gentle voice.) How you have altered, Christine!

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, I have indeed.  In nine, ten long years—­

Nora.  Is it so long since we met?  I suppose it is.  The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you.  And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter—­that was plucky of you.

Mrs. Linde.  I arrived by steamer this morning.

Nora.  To have some fun at Christmas-time, of course.  How delightful!  We will have such fun together!  But take off your things.  You are not cold, I hope. (Helps her.) Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy.  No, take this arm-chair; I will sit here in the rocking-chair. (Takes her hands.) Now you look like your old self again; it was only the first moment—­You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.

Mrs. Linde.  And much, much older, Nora.

Nora.  Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. (Stops suddenly and speaks seriously.) What a thoughtless creature I am, chattering away like this.  My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me.

Mrs. Linde.  What do you mean, Nora?

Nora (gently).  Poor Christine, you are a widow.

Mrs. Linde.  Yes; it is three years ago now.

Nora.  Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers.  I assure you, Christine, I meant ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something always prevented me.

Mrs. Linde.  I quite understand, dear.

Nora.  It was very bad of me, Christine.  Poor thing, how you must have suffered.  And he left you nothing?

Mrs. Linde.  No.

Nora.  And no children?

Mrs. Linde.  No.

Nora.  Nothing at all, then?

Mrs. Linde.  Not even any sorrow or grief to live upon.

Nora (looking incredulously at her).  But, Christine, is that possible?

Mrs. Linde (smiles sadly and strokes her hair).  It sometimes happens, Nora.

Nora.  So you are quite alone.  How dreadfully sad that must be.  I have three lovely children.  You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse.  But now you must tell me all about it.

Mrs. Linde.  No, no; I want to hear about you.