Nora (looking at him).  After what happened?

Rank.  I beg you to let me know what it is.

Nora.  I can’t tell you anything now.

Rank.  Yes, yes.  You mustn’t punish me in that way.  Let me have permission to do for you whatever a man may do.

Nora.  You can do nothing for me now.  Besides, I really don’t need any help at all.  You will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part.  It really is so—­of course it is! (Sits down in the rocking-chair, and looks at him with a smile.) You are a nice sort of man, Doctor Rank!—­don’t you feel ashamed of yourself, now the lamp has come?

Rank.  Not a bit.  But perhaps I had better go—­forever?

Nora.  No, indeed, you shall not.  Of course you must come here just as before.  You know very well Torvald can’t do without you.

Rank.  Yes, but you?

Nora.  Oh, I am always tremendously pleased when you come.

Rank.  It is just that, that put me on the wrong track.  You are a riddle to me.  I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer’s.

Nora.  Yes—­you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom one would almost always rather have as companions.

Rank.  Yes, there is something in that.

Nora.  When I was at home, of course I loved papa best.  But I always thought it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids’ room, because they never moralized at all, and talked to each other about such entertaining things.

Rank.  I see—­it is their place I have taken.

Nora (jumping-up and going to him).  Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never meant that at all.  But surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a little like being with papa—­(Enter MAID from the hall.)

Maid.  If you please, ma’am. (Whispers and hands her a card.)

Nora (glancing at the card).  Oh! (Puts it in her pocket.)

Rank.  Is there anything wrong?

Nora.  No, no, not in the least.  It is only something—­It is my new dress—­

Rank.  What?  Your dress is lying there.

Nora.  Oh, yes, that one; but this is another.  I ordered it.  Torvald mustn’t know about it—­

Rank.  Oho!  Then that was the great secret.

Nora.  Of course.  Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room.  Keep him as long as—­

Rank.  Make your mind easy; I won’t let him escape. (Goes into HELMER’S room.)

Nora (to the MAID).  And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?

Maid.  Yes; he came up the back stairs.

Nora.  But didn’t you tell him no one was in?