_Helmer_ (_standing at the open door_). Yes, do. Try and calm yourself, and make your mind easy again, my frightened little singing-bird. Be at rest, and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under. (_Walks up and down by the door._) How warm and cosy our home is, Nora. Here is shelter for you; here I will protect you like a hunted dove that I have saved from a hawk's claws; I will bring peace to your poor beating heart. It will come, little by little, Nora, believe me. To-morrow morning you will look upon it all quite differently; soon everything will be just as it was before. Very soon you won't need me to assure you that I have forgiven you; you will yourself feel the certainty that I have done so. Can you suppose I should ever think of such a thing as repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have no idea what a true man's heart is like, Nora. There is something so indescribably sweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that he has forgiven his wife--forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. It seems as if that had made her, as it were, doubly his own; he has given her a new life, so to speak; and she is in a way become both wife and child to him. So you shall be for me after this, my little scared, helpless darling. Have no anxiety about anything, Nora; only be frank and open with me, and I will serve as will and conscience both to you--. What is this? Not gone to bed? Have you changed your things? _Nora_ (_in everyday dress_). Yes, Torvald, I have changed my things now. _Helmer._ But what for?--so late as this. _Nora._ I shall not sleep tonight. _Helmer._ But, my dear Nora-- _Nora_ (_looking at her watch_). It is not so very late. Sit down here, Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another. (_She sits down at one side of the table_.) _Helmer._ Nora--what is this?--this cold, set face? _Nora._ Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk over with you. _Helmer_ (_sits down at the opposite side of the table_). You alarm me, Nora!--and I don't understand you. _Nora._ No, that is just it. You don't understand me, and I have never understood you either--before tonight. No, you mustn't interrupt me. You must simply listen to what I say. Torvald, this is a settling of accounts. _Helmer._ What do you mean by that? _Nora_ (_after a short silence_). Isn't there one thing that strikes you as strange in our sitting here like this? _Helmer._ What is that? _Nora._ We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur to you that this is the first time we two, you and I, husband and wife, have had a serious conversation? _Helmer._ What do you mean by serious? _Nora._ In all these eight years--longer than that--from the very beginning of our acquaintance, we have never exchanged a word on any serious subject. _Helmer._ Was it likely that I would be continually and forever telling you about worries that you could not help me to bear?