_Helmer_. What--leave your pretty cage, and (_pathetically_) the old cock bird, and the poor little innocent eggs! _Nora_. Exactly. Sit down, and we will talk it over first. (_Slowly._) Has it ever struck you that this is the first time you and I have ever talked seriously together about serious things? _Helmer_. Come, I do like that! How on earth could we talk about serious things when your mouth was always full of macaroons? _Nora_ (_shakes her head_). Ah, TORVALD, the mouth of a mother of a family should have more solemn things in it than macaroons! I see that now, too late. No, you have wronged me. So did Papa. Both of you called me a doll, and a squirrel, and a lark! You might have made something of me--and instead of that, you went and made too much of me--oh, you _did_! _Helmer_. Well, you didn't seem to object to it, and really I don't exactly see what it is you _do_ want! _Nora_. No more do I--that is what I have got to find out. If I had been properly educated, I should have known better than to date poor Papa's signature three days after he died. Now I must educate _myself_. I have to gain experience, and get clear about religion, and law, and things, and whether Society is right or I am--and I must go away and never come back any more till I _am_ educated! _Helmer_. Then you may be away some little time? And what's to become of me and the eggs meanwhile? _Nora_. That, TORVALD, is entirely your own affair. I have a higher duty than that towards you and the eggs. (_Looking solemnly upward._) I mean my duty towards Myself! _Helmer_. And all this because--in a momentary annoyance at finding myself in the power of a discharged Cashier who calls me "I say TORVALD," I expressed myself with ultra-Gilbertian frankness! You talk like a silly child! _Nora_. Because my eyes are opened, and I see my position with the eyes of IBSEN. I must go away at once, and begin to educate myself. _Helmer_. May I ask how you are going to set about it? _Nora_. Certainly. I shall begin--yes, I shall _begin_ with a course of the Norwegian theatres. If _that_ doesn't take the frivolity out of me, I don't really know what _will_! [_She gets her bonnet and ties it tightly._ _Helmer_. Then you are really going? And you'll never think about me and the eggs any more! Oh, NORA! _Nora_. Indeed, I shall, occasionally--as strangers. (_She puts on a shawl sadly, and fetches her dressing-bag._) If I ever do come back, the greatest miracle of all will have to happen. Good-bye! [_She goes out through the hall; the front-door is heard to bang loudly._ _Helmer_ (_sinking on a chair_). The room empty? Then she _must_ be gone! Yes, my little lark has flown! (_The dull sound of an unskilled latchkey is heard trying the lock; presently the door opens, and Nora, with a somewhat foolish expression, reappears._) What? back already! Then you _are_ educated?