_Helmer_. What are you saying? Narrow-minded? Do you think I am narrow-minded? _Nora_. No, just the opposite, dear--and it is exactly for that reason. _Helmer_. It's the same thing. You say my point of view is narrow-minded, so I must be so, too. Narrow-minded! Very well--I must put an end to this. (_Goes to the hall door and calls.)_ Helen! _Nora_. What are you going to do? _Helmer_ (_looking among his papers)_. Settle it. (_Enter_ MAID.) Look here; take this letter and go downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger and tell him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is on it, and here is the money. _Maid_. Very well, sir. (_Exit with the letter_.) _Helmer_ (_putting his papers together_). Now, then, little Miss Obstinate. _Nora_ (_breathlessly_). Torvald--what was that letter? _Helmer_. Krogstad's dismissal. _Nora_. Call her back, Torvald! There is still time. Oh Torvald, call her back! Do it for my sake--for your own sake, for the children's sake! Do you hear me, Torvald? Call her back! You don't know what that letter can bring upon us. _Helmer_. It's too late. _Nora_. Yes, it's too late. _Helmer_. My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn't it an insult to think that I should be afraid of a starving quill-driver's vengeance? But I forgive you, nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your great love for me. (_Takes her in his arms.)_ And that is as it should be, my own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself. _Nora_ (_in a horror-stricken voice_). What do you mean by that? _Helmer_. Everything I say-- _Nora_ (_recovering herself_). You will never have to do that. _Helmer_. That's right. Well, we will share it, Nora, as man and wife should. That is how it shall be. (_Caressing her_.) Are you content now? There! There!--not these frightened dove's eyes! The whole thing is only the wildest fancy!--Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella and practice with your tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and shut the door, and I shall hear nothing; you can make as much noise as you please. (_Turns back at the door.)_ And when Rank comes, tell him where he will find me. (_Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shuts the door after him_.) _Nora_ (_bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, and whispers_). He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it in spite of everything.--No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather than that! Oh, for some help, some way out of it. (_The door-bell rings_.) Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that--anything, whatever it is! (_She puts her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it. _RANK_ is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the following dialogue it begins to grow dark_.)