_Helmer_. But in the case of knitting--that can never be anything but ungraceful; look here--the arms close together, the knitting-needles going up and down--it has a sort of Chinese effect--. That was really excellent champagne they gave us. _Mrs. Linde_. Well,--good-night, Nora, and don't be self-willed any more. _Helmer_. That's right, Mrs. Linde. _Mrs. Linde_. Good-night, Mr. Helmer. _Helmer_ (_accompanying her to the door_). Good-night, good-night. I hope you will get home all right. I should be very happy to--but you haven't any great distance to go. Good-night, good-night. (_She goes out; he shuts the door after her and comes in again_.) Ah!--at last we have got rid of her. She is a frightful bore, that woman. _Nora_. Aren't you very tired, Torvald? _Helmer_. No, not in the least. _Nora_. Nor sleepy? _Helmer_. Not a bit. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarily lively. And you?--you really look both tired and sleepy. _Nora_. Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once. _Helmer_. There, you see it was quite right of me not to let you stay there any longer. _Nora_. Everything you do is quite right, Torvald. _Helmer_ (_kissing her on the forehead_). Now my little skylark is speaking reasonably. Did you notice what good spirits Rank was in this evening? _Nora_. Really? Was he? I didn't speak to him at all. _Helmer_. And I very little, but I have not for a long time seen him in such good form. (_Looks for a while at her and then goes nearer to her_.) It is delightful to be at home by ourselves again, to be all alone with you--you fascinating, charming little darling! _Nora_. Don't look at me like that, Torvald. _Helmer_. Why shouldn't I look at my dearest treasure?--at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own? _Nora_ (_going to the other side of the table_). You mustn't say things like that to me tonight. _Helmer_ (_following her_). You have still got the Tarantella in your blood, I see. And it makes you more captivating than ever. Listen--the guests are beginning to go now. (_In a lower voice_.) Nora--soon the whole house will be quiet. _Nora_. Yes, I hope so. _Helmer_. Yes, my own darling Nora. Do you know, when I am out at a party with you like this, why I speak so little to you, keep away from you, and only send a stolen glance in your direction now and then?--do you know why I do that? It is because I make believe to myself that we are secretly in love, and you are my secretly promised bride, and that no one suspects there is anything between us. _Nora_. Yes, yes--I know very well your thoughts are with me all the time.