k. I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there
will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And
now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else.

Nora (rises, deliberately and quietly). Let me pass.

Rank (makes room for her to pass him, but sits still). Nora!

Nora (at the hall door). Helen, bring in the lamp. (Goes over to the
stove.) Dear Doctor Rank, that was really horrid of you.

Rank. To have loved you as much as anyone else does? Was that horrid?

Nora. No, but to go and tell me so. There was really no need--

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 now 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--for ever?

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 moralised at all, and talked to each other about such
entertaining things.

Ran