_Nora_ (_after a short pause_). Why did you smile? _Rand_. No, it was you that laughed. _Nora_. No, it was you that smiled, Doctor Rank! _Rank_ (_rising_). You are a greater rascal than I thought. _Nora_. I am in a silly mood today. _Rank_. So it seems. _Nora_ (_putting her hands on his shoulders_). Dear, dear Doctor Rank, death mustn't take you away from Torvald and me. _Rank_. It is a loss you would easily recover from. Those who are gone are soon forgotten. _Nora_ (_looking at him anxiously_). Do you believe that? _Rank_. People form new ties, and then-- _Nora_. Who will form new ties? _Rank_. Both you and Helmer, when I am gone. You yourself are already on the high road to it, I think. What did that Mrs. Linde want here last night? _Nora_. Oho!--you don't mean to say you are jealous of poor Christine? _Rank_. Yes, I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I am done for, this woman will-- _Nora_. Hush! don't speak so loud. She is in that room. _Rank_. To-day again. There, you see. _Nora_. She has only come to sew my dress for me. Bless my soul, how unreasonable you are! (_Sits down on the sofa_.) Be nice now, Doctor Rank, and to-morrow you will see how beautifully I shall dance, and you can imagine I am doing it all for you--and for Torvald too, of course. (_Takes various things out of the box._) Doctor Rank, come and sit down here, and I will show you something. _Rank_ (_sitting down_). What is it? _Nora_. Just look at those. _Rank_. Silk stockings. _Nora_. Flesh-coloured. Aren't they lovely? It is so dark here now, but to-morrow--. No, no, no! you must only look at the feet. Oh, well, you may have leave to look at the legs too. _Rank_. Hm!-- _Nora_. Why are you looking so critical? Don't you think they will fit me? _Rank_. I have no means of forming an opinion about that. _Nora_ (_looks at him for a moment_). For shame! (_Hits him lightly on the ear with the stockings_.) That's to punish you. (_Folds them up again_.) _Rank_. And what other nice things am I to be allowed to see? _Nora_. Not a single thing more, for being so naughty. (_She looks among the things, humming to herself_.) _Rank_ (_after a short silence_). When I am sitting here, talking to you as intimately as this, I cannot imagine for a moment what would have become of me if I had never come into this house. _Nora_ (_smiling_). I believe you do feel thoroughly at home with us. _Rank_ (_in a lower voice, looking straight in front of him_). And to be obliged to leave it all-- _Nora_. Nonsense, you are not going to leave it. _Rank_ (_as before_). And not be able to leave behind one the slightest token of one's gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret--nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other. _Nora_. And if I asked you now for a--? No! _Rank_. For what? _Nora_. For a big proof of your friendship-- _Rank_. Yes, yes. _Nora_. I mean a tremendously big favour--