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Nora. It is just what he is doing.

Helmer. What? Do you know anything about it? Has he said anything
to you?

Nora. Yes. He told me that when the cards came it would be his
leave-taking from us. He means to shut himself up and die.

Helmer. My poor old friend! Certainly I knew we should not have
him very long with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away
like a wounded animal.

Nora. If it has to happen, it is best it should be without a
word--don't you think so, Torvald?

Helmer (walking up and down). He had so grown into our lives. I
can't think of him as having gone out of them. He, with his
sufferings and his loneliness, was like a cloudy background to
our sunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it is best so. For him,
anyway. (Standing still.) And perhaps for us too, Nora. We
two are thrown quite upon each other now. (Puts his arms round
her.) My darling wife, I don't feel as if I could hold you tight
enough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be
threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life's
blood, and everything, for your sake.

Nora (disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly). Now you
must read your letters, Torvald.

Helmer. No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife.

Nora. With the thought of your friend's death--

Helmer. You are right, it has affected us both. Something ugly
has come between us--the thought of the horrors of death.
We must try and rid our minds of that. Until then--we will
each go to our own room.

Nora (hanging on his neck). Goodnight, Torvald--Goodnight!

Helmer (kissing her on the forehead). Goodnight, my little
singing-bird. Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my letters
through. (He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting
the door after him.)

Nora (gropes distractedly about, seizes HELMER'S domino, throws
it round her, while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic
whispers). Never to see him again. Never! Never! (Puts her shawl
over her head.) Never to see my children again either--never
again. Never! Never!--Ah! the icy, black water--the unfathomable
depths--If only it were over! He has got it now--now he is reading
it. Goodbye, Torvald and my children! (She is about to rush out
through the hall, when HELMER opens his door hurriedly and stands

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