I only came in to--to see Nora's costume. Now I've seen it, I'll go. [_Goes out._ HELMER. Awful bore that woman--hate boresh! [_Looks at_ NORA, _then comes nearer._] Oh, you prillil squillikins, I _do_ love you so! Shomehow, I feel sho lively thishevenin'! [Illustration: "Oh, you prillil squillikins!"] NORA. [_Goes to other side of table._] I won't _have_ all that, Torvald! HELMER. Why? ain't you my lil' lark--ain't thish our lil' cage? Ver-_well_, then. [_A ring._] Rank! confound it all! [_Enter_ Dr. RANK.] Rank, dear old boy, you've been [_hiccoughs_] going it upstairs. Cap'tal champagne, eh? '_Shamed_ of you, Rank! [_He sits down on sofa, and closes his eyes gently._ DR. RANK. Did you notice it? [_With pride._] It was almost incredible the amount I contrived to put away. But I shall suffer for it to-morrow. [_Gloomily._] Heredity again! I wish I was dead! I do. NORA. Don't apologise. Torvald was just as bad; but he is always so good-tempered after champagne. DOCTOR RANK. Ah, well, I just looked in to say that I haven't long to live. Don't weep for me, Mrs. Helmer, it's chronic--and hereditary too. Here are my P.P.C. cards. I'm a fading flower. Can you oblige me with a cigar? NORA. [_With a suppressed smile._] Certainly. Let me give you a light? [DOCTOR RANK _lights his cigar, after several ineffectual attempts, and goes out_. HELMER. [_Compassionately._] Poo' old Rank--he'sh very bad to-ni'! [_Pulls himself together._] But I forgot--Bishness--I mean, bu-si-ness--mush be 'tended to. I'll go and see if there are any letters. [_Goes to box._] Hallo! some one's been at the lock with a hairpin--it's one of _your_ hairpins! [_Holding it out to her._ NORA. [_Quickly._] Not mine--one of Bob's, or Ivar's--they both wear hairpins! HELMER. [_Turning over letters absently._] You must break them of it--bad habit! What a lot o' lettersh! _double_ usual quantity. [_Opens_ KROGSTAD'S.] By Jove! [_Reads it and falls back completely sobered._] What have you got to say to _this_? NORA. [_Crying aloud._] You shan't save me--let me go! I _won't_ be saved! HELMER. Save _you_, indeed! Who's going to save _Me_? You miserable little criminal. [_Annoyed._] Ugh--ugh! NORA. [_With hardening expression._] Indeed, Torvald, your singing-bird acted for the best! HELMER. Singing-bird! Your father was a rook--and you take _after_ him. Heredity again! You have utterly destroyed my happiness. [_Walks round several times._] Just as I was beginning to get on, too! NORA. I have--but I will go away and jump into the water. HELMER.