Rank.  If I am, can’t you guess why? (A short silence.) Because I love you!  You can’t pretend you didn’t know it!

Nora.  Perhaps not—­but it was really too clumsy of you to mention it just as I was about to ask a favour of you!  It was in the worst taste! (With dignity.) You must not imagine because I joke with you about silk stockings, and tell you things I never tell TORVALD, that I am therefore without the most delicate and scrupulous self-respect!  I am really quite a good little doll, Dr. RANK, and now—­(sits in rocking-chair and smiles)—­now I shan’t ask you what I was going to! [ELLEN comes in with a card.

Nora (terrified).  Oh, my goodness! [Puts it in her pocket.

Dr. Rank.  Excuse my easy Norwegian pleasantry—­but—­h’m—­anything disagreeable up?

Nora (to herself).  KROGSTAD’s card!  I must tell another whopper! (To RANK.) No. nothing, only—­only my new costume.  I want to try it on here.  I always do try on my dresses in the drawing-room—­it’s cosier, you know.  So go into TORVALD and amuse him till I’m ready. [RANK goes into HELMER’s room, and NORA bolts the door upon him, as KROGSTAD enters from hall in a fur cap.

Krogs. Well, I’ve got the sack, and so I came to see how you are getting on.  I mayn’t be a nice man, but—­(with feeling)—­I have a heart!  And, as I don’t intend to give up the forged I.O.U. unless I’m taken back, I was afraid you might be contemplating suicide, or something of that kind; and so I called to tell you that, if I were you, I wouldn’t.  Bad thing for the complexion, suicide, and silly, too, because it wouldn’t mend matters in the least. (Kindly.) You must not take this affair too seriously.  Mrs. HELMER.  Get your husband to settle it amicably by taking me back as Cashier; then I shall soon get the whip-hand of him, and we shall all be as pleasant and comfortable as possible together!

Nora.  Not even that prospect can tempt me!  Besides, TORVALD wouldn’t have you back at any price now!

Krogs. All right, then.  I have here a letter, telling your husband all.  I will take the liberty of dropping it in the letter-box at your hall-door as I go out.  I’ll wish you good evening! [He goes out; presently the dull sound of a thick letter dropping into a wire box is heard.

Nora (softly, and hoarsely).  He’s done it!  How am I to prevent TORVALD from seeing it?

Helmer (inside the door, rattling).  Hasn’t my lark changed its dress yet? (NORA unbolts door.) What—­so you are not in fancy costume, after all? (Enters with RANK.) Are there any letters for me in the box there?

Nora (voicelessly).  None—­not even a postcard!  Oh, TORVALD, don’t, please, go and look—­promise me you won’t!  I do assure you there isn’t a letter!  And I’ve forgotten the Tarantella you taught me—­do let’s run over it.  I’m so afraid of breaking down—­promise me not to look at the letter-box.  I can’t dance unless you do.