_Helmer_. Yes, but what do you suggest as an appropriate costume for that? _Rank_. Let your wife go dressed just as she is in every-day life. _Helmer_. That was really very prettily turned. But can't you tell us what you will be? _Rank_. Yes, my dear friend, I have quite made up my mind about that. _Helmer_. Well? _Rank_. At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible. _Helmer_ That's a good joke! _Rank_. There is a big black hat--have you never heard of hats that make you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you. _Helmer_ (_suppressing a smile_). Yes, you are quite right. _Rank_. But I am clean forgetting what I came for. Helmer, give me a cigar--one of the dark Havanas. _Helmer_. With the greatest pleasure. (_Offers him his case_.) _Rank_ (_takes a cigar and cuts off the end_). Thanks. _Nora_ (_striking a match_). Let me give you a light. _Rank_. Thank you. (_She holds the match for him to light his cigar_.) And now good-bye! _Helmer_. Good-bye, good-bye, dear old man! _Nora_. Sleep well, Doctor Rank. _Rank_. Thank you for that wish. _Nora_. Wish me the same. _Rank_. You? Well, if you want me to sleep well! And thanks for the light. (_He nods to them both and goes out_.) _Helmer_ (_in a subdued voice_). He has drunk more than he ought. _Nora_ (_absently_). Maybe. (HELMER _takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and goes into the hall_.) Torvald! what are you going to do there? _Helmer_. Empty the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put the newspaper in to-morrow morning. _Nora._ Are you going to work to-night? _Helmer_. You know quite well I'm not. What is this? Some one has been at the lock. _Nora_. At the lock? _Helmer_. Yes, someone has. What can it mean? I should never have thought the maid--. Here is a broken hairpin. Nora, it is one of yours. _Nora_ (_quickly_). Then it must have been the children-- _Helmer_. Then you must get them out of those ways. There, at last I have got it open. (_Takes out the contents of the letter-box, and calls to the kitchen_.) Helen!--Helen, put out the light over the front door. (_Goes back into the room and shuts the door into the hall. He holds out his hand full of letters_.) Look at that--look what a heap of them there are. (_Turning them over_.) What on earth is that? _Nora_ (_at the window_). The letter--No! Torvald, no! _Helmer._ Two cards--of Rank's. _Nora._ Of Doctor Rank's? _Helmer_ (_looking at them_). Doctor Rank. They were on the top. He must have put them in when he went out. _Nora._ Is there anything written on them? _Helmer._ There is a black cross over the name. Look there--what an uncomfortable idea! It looks as If he were announcing his own death. _Nora._ It is just what he is doing. _Helmer._ What? Do you know anything about it? Has he said anything to you? _Nora._ Yes. He told me that when the cards came it would be his leave-taking from us. He means to shut himself up and die.