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She does not
seem to hear him; her hair comes down and falls over her
shoulders; she pays no attention to it, but goes on dancing.
Enter Mrs. LINDE.)

Mrs. Linde (standing as if spell-bound in the doorway). Oh!--

Nora (as she dances). Such fun, Christine!

Helmer. My dear darling Nora, you are dancing as if your life
depended on it.

Nora. So it does.

Helmer. Stop, Rank; this is sheer madness. Stop, I tell you!
(RANK stops playing, and NORA suddenly stands still. HELMER goes
up to her.) I could never have believed it. You have forgotten
everything I taught you.

Nora (throwing away the tambourine). There, you see.

Helmer. You will want a lot of coaching.

Nora. Yes, you see how much I need it. You must coach me up to
the last minute. Promise me that, Torvald!

Helmer. You can depend on me.

Nora. You must not think of anything but me, either today or
tomorrow; you mustn't open a single letter--not even open the
letter-box--

Helmer. Ah, you are still afraid of that fellow--

Nora. Yes, indeed I am.

Helmer. Nora, I can tell from your looks that there is a letter
from him lying there.

Nora. I don't know; I think there is; but you must not read
anything of that kind now. Nothing horrid must come between us
until this is all over.

Rank (whispers to HELMER). You mustn't contradict her.

Helmer (taking her in his arms). The child shall have her way.
But tomorrow night, after you have danced--

Nora. Then you will be free. (The MAID appears in the doorway to
the right.)

Maid. Dinner is served, ma'am.

Nora. We will have champagne, Helen.

Maid. Very good, ma'am. [Exit.

Helmer. Hullo!--are we going to have a banquet?

Nora. Yes, a champagne banquet until the small hours. (Calls out.)
And a few macaroons, Helen--lots, just for once!

Helmer. Come, come, don't be so wild and nervous. Be my own
little skylark, as you used.

Nora. Yes, dear, I will. But go in now and you too, Doctor Rank.
Christine, you must help me to do up my hair.

Rank (whispers to HELMER as they go out). I suppose there is
nothing--she is not expecting anything?

Helmer. Far from it, my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more
than this childish nervousness I was telling you of. (They go
into the right-hand room.)

Nora. Well!

Mrs. Linde.

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