The following is an extract from a famous play. Read it carefully to answer questions that follow.

MAID: [From the hall doorway.] Ma'am, a lady to see you -

NORA: All right, let her come in.

[... The MAID shows in MRS. LINDE, dressed in travelling clothes, and shuts the door after her.]

MRS. LINDE: [In a dispirited and somewhat hesitant voice.] Hello, Nora.

NORA: [Uncertain.] Hello -

MRS. LINDE: You don't recognize me.

NORA: No, I don't know - but wait, I think - [Exclaiming.] What! What! Is it really you?

MRS. LINDE: Yes, It's me.

NORA: Kristine! To think I didn't recognize you. But then, how could I? [More quietly.] How you've changed, Kristine !

MRS. LINDE: Yes, no doubt I have. In nine - ten long years.

NORA: It is so long since we met ! Yes, it's all of that. Oh, these last eight years have been a happy time, believe me. And so now you've come in to town, too. Made the long trip in the winter. That took courage.

MRS. LINDE: I just got here by ship this morning.

NORA: To enjoy yourself over Christmas, of course. Oh, how lovely! Yes, enjoy ourselves, we'll do that. But take your coat off. You're not still cold? [Helping her.] There now, let's get cozy here by the stove. No, the easy chair there! I'll take the rocker here. [Seizing her hands.] Yes, now you have your old look again; it was only in that first moment. You're a bit more pale, Kristine - and maybe a bit thinner.

MRS. LINDE : And much, much older, Nora.

NORA: Yes, perhaps a bit older; a tiny, tiny bit; not much at all. [Stopping short, suddenly serious.] Oh, but thoughtless me, to sit here, chattering away. Sweet, good Kristine, can you forgive me?

MRS. LINDE: What do you mean, Nora ?

NORA: [Softly.] Poor Kristine, you've become a widow.

MRS. LINDE: Yes, three years ago.

NORA: Oh, I knew it, of course; I read it in the papers. Oh, Kristine, you must believe me; I often thought of writing you then, but kept postponing it, and something always interfered.

MRS. LINDE: Nora, dear, I understand completely.

NORA: No, it was awful of me, Kristine. You poor thing, how much you have gone through. And he left you nothing?

MRS. LINDE: No.

NORA: And no children?

MRS. LINDE: No.

NORA: Nothing at all, then?

MRS. LINDE: Not even a sense of loss to feed on.

NORA: [Looking incredulously at her.] But Kristine, how could that be?

MRS. LINDE: [Smiling wearily and smoothing her hair.] Oh, sometimes it happens, Nora.

NORA: So completely alone. How terribly hard that must be for you. I have three lovely children. You can't see them now; they're out with the maid.

[....]