RANK. What do you mean? Did you know? [Maid enters with lamp, puts it down on the table and goes out.] Nora—Mrs. Helmer—tell me, had you any idea of this?

NORA. Oh, how do I know whether I had or whether I hadn’t? I really can’t tell you. To think you could be so clumsy, Doctor Rank! We were getting on so nicely.

RANK. Well, at all events you know that you can command me body and soul. So won’t you speak out?

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——