_Helmer_. Oh, you think and talk like a heedless child. _Nora_. Maybe. But you neither think nor talk like the man I could bind myself to. As soon as your fear was over--and it was not fear for what threatened me, but for what might happen to you--when the whole thing was past, as far as you were concerned it was exactly as if nothing at all had happened. Exactly as before, I was your little skylark, your doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentle care, because it was so brittle and fragile. (_Getting up_.) Torvald--it was then it dawned upon me that for eight years I had been living here with a strange man, and had borne him three children--. Oh! I can't bear to think of it! I could tear myself into little bits! _Helmer_ (_sadly_). I see, I see. An abyss has opened between us--there is no denying it. But, Nora, would it not be possible to fill it up? _Nora_. As I am now, I am no wife for you. _Helmer_. I have it in me to become a different man. _Nora_. Perhaps--if your doll is taken away from you. _Helmer_. But to part!--to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can't understand that idea. _Nora_ (_going out to the right_). That makes it all the more certain that it must be done. (_She comes back with her cloak and hat and a small bag which she puts on a chair by the table_.) _Helmer_. Nora, Nora, not now! Wait till tomorrow. _Nora_ (_putting on her cloak_). I cannot spend the night in a strange man's room. _Helmer_. But can't we live here like brother and sister--? _Nora_ (_putting on her hat_). You know very well that would not last long. (_Puts the shawl round her_.) Good-bye, Torvald. I won't see the little ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can be of no use to them. _Helmer_. But some day, Nora--some day? _Nora_. How can I tell? I have no idea what is going to become of me. _Helmer_. But you are my wife, whatever becomes of you. _Nora_. Listen, Torvald. I have heard that when a wife deserts her husband's house, as I am doing now, he is legally freed from all obligations towards her. In any case I set you free from all your obligations. You are not to feel yourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must be perfect freedom on both sides. See, here is your ring back. Give me mine. _Helmer_. That too? _Nora_. That too. _Helmer_. Here it is. _Nora_. That's right. Now it is all over. I have put the keys here. The maids know all about everything in the house--better than I do. Tomorrow, after I have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own things that I brought with me from home. I will have them sent after me. _Helmer_. All over! All over!--Nora, shall you never think of me again? _Nora_. I know I shall often think of you and the children and this house. _Helmer_. May I write to you, Nora? _Nora_. No--never. You must not do that. _Helmer_. But at least let me send you-- _Nora_. Nothing--nothing-- _Helmer_. Let me help you if you are in want.