HELMER. [_Searching among his papers._] To settle the thing. [ELLEN _enters._] Here; take this letter; give it to a messenger. See that he takes it at once. The address is on it. Here’s the money. ELLEN. Very well, sir. [_Goes with the letter._ HELMER. [_Putting his papers together._] There, Madam Obstinacy. NORA. [_Breathless._] Torvald—what was in the letter? HELMER. Krogstad’s dismissal. NORA. Call it back again, Torvald! There’s still time. Oh, Torvald, call it back again! For my sake, for your own, for the children’s sake! Do you hear, Torvald? Do it! You don’t know what that letter may bring upon us all. HELMER. Too late. NORA. Yes, too late. HELMER. My dear Nora, I forgive your anxiety, though it’s anything but flattering to me. Why should you suppose that _I_ would be afraid of a wretched scribbler’s spite? But I forgive you all the same, for it’s a proof of your great love for me. [_Takes her in his arms._] That’s as it should be, my own dear Nora. Let what will happen—when it comes to the pinch, I shall have strength and courage enough. You shall see: my shoulders are broad enough to bear the whole burden. NORA. [_Terror-struck._] What do you mean by that? HELMER. The whole burden, I say—— NORA. [_With decision._] That you shall never, never do! HELMER. Very well; then we’ll share it, Nora, as man and wife. That is how it should be. [_Petting her._] Are you satisfied now? Come, come, come, don’t look like a scared dove. It’s all nothing—foolish fancies.—Now you ought to play the tarantella through and practise with the tambourine. I shall sit in my inner room and shut both doors, so that I shall hear nothing. You can make as much noise as you please. [_Turns round in doorway._] And when Rank comes, just tell him where I’m to be found. [_He nods to her, and goes with his papers into his room, closing the door._ NORA. [_Bewildered with terror, stands as though rooted to the ground, and whispers._] He would do it. Yes, he would do it. He would do it, in spite of all the world.—No, never that, never, never! Anything rather than that! Oh, for some way of escape! What shall I do——! [_Hall bell rings._] Doctor Rank——!—Anything, anything, rather than——! [NORA _draws her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it._ RANK _stands outside hanging up his fur coat. During what follows it begins to grow dark._