_Rank_ (_in the doorway_). I understood so, but evidently I was mistaken. _Nora_. Yes, nobody is to have the chance of admiring me in my dress until to-morrow. _Helmer_. But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been practising too much? _Nora_. No, I have not practised at all. _Helmer_. But you will need to-- _Nora_. Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But I can't get on a bit without you to help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing. _Helmer_. Oh, we will soon work it up again. _Nora_. Yes, help me, Torvald. Promise that you will! I am so nervous about it--all the people--. You must give yourself up to me entirely this evening. Not the tiniest bit of business--you mustn't even take a pen in your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear? _Helmer_. I promise. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at your service, you helpless little mortal. Ah, by the way, first of all I will just--(_Goes toward the hall-door_.) _Nora_. What are you going to do there? _Helmer_. Only see if any letters have come. _Nora_. No, no! don't do that, Torvald! _Helmer_. Why not? _Nora_. Torvald, please don't. There is nothing there. _Helmer_. Well, let me look. (_Turns to go to the letter-box._ NORA, _at the piano, plays the first bars of the Tarantella_. HELMER _stops in the doorway_.) Aha! _Nora_. I can't dance to-morrow if I don't practise with you. _Helmer_ (_going up to her_). Are you really so afraid of it, dear? _Nora_. Yes, so dreadfully afraid of it. Let me practise at once; there is time now, before we go to dinner. Sit down and play for me, Torvald dear; criticise me, and correct me as you play. _Helmer_. With great pleasure, if you wish me to. (_Sits down at the piano_.) _Nora_ (_takes out of the box a tambourine and a long variegated shawl. She hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of the stage and calls out_). Now play for me! I am going to dance! (HELMER _plays and_ NORA _dances_. RANK _stands by the piano behind_ HELMER, _and looks on_.) _Helmer_ (_as he plays_). Slower, slower! _Nora_. I can't do it any other way. _Helmer_. Not so violently, Nora! _Nora_. This is the way. _Helmer_ (_stops playing_). No, no--that is not a bit right. _Nora_ (_laughing and swinging the tambourine_). Didn't I tell you so? _Rank_. Let me play for her. _Helmer_ (_getting up_). Yes, do. I can correct her better then. (RANK _sits down at the piano and plays. Nora dances more and more wildly_. HELMER _has taken up a position beside the stove, and during her dance gives her frequent instructions. She does not seem to hear him; her hair comes down and falls over her shoulders; she pays no attention to it, but goes on dancing. Enter_ MRS. LINDE.) _Mrs. Linde_ (_standing as if spell-bound in the doorway_). Oh!-- _Nora_ (_as she dances_). Such fun, Christine! _Helmer_. My dear darling Nora, you are dancing as if your life depended on it. _Nora_. So it does.