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Very soon you won't need me to assure you that I have forgiven
you; you will yourself feel the certainty that I have done so.
Can you suppose I should ever think of such a thing as
repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have no
idea what a true man's heart is like, Nora. There is something so
indescribably sweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge
that he has forgiven his wife--forgiven her freely, and with all
his heart. It seems as if that had made her, as it were, doubly
his own; he has given her a new life, so to speak; and she has
in a way become both wife and child to him. So you shall be for
me after this, my little scared, helpless darling. Have no
anxiety about anything, Nora; only be frank and open with me,
and I will serve as will and conscience both to you--. What
is this? Not gone to bed? Have you changed your things?

Nora (in everyday dress). Yes, Torvald, I have changed my things now.

Helmer. But what for?--so late as this.

Nora. I shall not sleep tonight.

Helmer. But, my dear Nora--

Nora (looking at her watch). It is not so very late. Sit down
here, Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another. (She
sits down at one side of the table.)

Helmer. Nora--what is this?--this cold, set face?

Nora. Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk over
with you.

Helmer (sits down at the opposite side of the table). You alarm
me, Nora!--and I don't understand you.

Nora. No, that is just it. You don't understand me, and I have
never understood you either--before tonight. No, you mustn't
interrupt me. You must simply listen to what I say. Torvald,
this is a settling of accounts.

Helmer. What do you mean by that?

Nora (after a short silence). Isn't there one thing that strikes
you as strange in our sitting here like this?

Helmer. What is that?

Nora. We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur
to you that this is the first time we two, you and I, husband
and wife, have had a serious conversation?

Helmer. What do you mean by serious?

Nora. In all these eight years--longer than that--from the very
beginning of our acquaintance, we have never exchanged a word on
any serious subject.

Helmer. Was it likely that I would be continually and forever
telling you about worries that you could not help me to bear?

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