_Helmer._ My poor old friend. Certainly I knew we should not have him very long with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away like a wounded animal. _Nora._ If it has to happen, it is best it should be without a word--don't you think so, Torvald? _Helmer_ (_walking up and down_). He has so grown into our lives. I can't think of him as having gone out of them. He, with his sufferings and his loneliness, was like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it is best so. For him, anyway. (_Standing still._) And perhaps for us too, Nora. We two are thrown quite upon each other now. (_Puts his arms around her._) My darling wife, I don't feel as if I could hold you tight enough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life's blood, and everything, for your sake. _Nora_ (_disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly_). Now you must read your letters, Torvald. _Helmer._ No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife. _Nora._ With the thought of your friend's death-- _Helmer._ You are right, it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between us--the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds of that. Until then--we will each go to our own room. _Nora_ (_hanging on his neck_). Good-night, Torvald--Good-night! _Helmer_ (_kissing her on the forehead_). Good-night, my little singing-bird. Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my letters through. (_He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting the door after him._) _Nora_ (_gropes distractedly about, seizes_ HELMER'S _domino, throws it round her, while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic whispers_). Never to see him again. Never! Never! (_Puts her shawl over her head._) Never to see my children again either--never again. Never! Never!--Ah! the icy, black water--the unfathomable depths--If only it were over! He has got it now--now he is reading it. Good-bye, Torvald and my children! (_She is about to rush out through the hall, when_ HELMER _opens his door hurriedly and stands with an open letter in his hand._) _Helmer._ Nora! _Nora._ Ah!-- _Helmer._ What is this? Do you know what is in this letter? _Nora._ Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out! _Helmer_ (_holding her back_). Where are you going? _Nora_ (_trying to get free_). You shan't save me, Torvald! _Helmer_ (_reeling_). True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no--it is impossible that it can be true. _Nora._ It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world. _Helmer._ Oh, don't let us have any silly excuses. _Nora_ (_taking a step towards him_). Torvald--! _Helmer._ Miserable creature--what have you done? _Nora._ Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself.