Don’t you hear the dancing overhead? As soon as that is over they will be here. KROGSTAD. Oh yes, I shall go. Nothing will come of this, after all. Of course, you don’t know the step I have taken against the Helmers. MRS. LINDEN. Yes, Nils, I do know. KROGSTAD. And yet you have the courage to——? MRS. LINDEN. I know to what lengths despair can drive a man. KROGSTAD. Oh, if I could only undo it! MRS. LINDEN. You could. Your letter is still in the box. KROGSTAD. Are you sure? MRS. LINDEN. Yes; but—— KROGSTAD. [_Looking to her searchingly._] Is that what it all means? You want to save your friend at any price. Say it out—is that your idea? MRS. LINDEN. Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for the sake of others, does not do so again. KROGSTAD. I shall demand my letter back again. MRS. LINDEN. No, no. KROGSTAD. Yes, of course. I shall wait till Helmer comes; I shall tell him to give it back to me—that it’s only about my dismissal—that I don’t want it read—— MRS. LINDEN. No, Nils, you must not recall the letter. KROGSTAD. But tell me, wasn’t that just why you got me to come here? MRS. LINDEN. Yes, in my first alarm. But a day has passed since then, and in that day I have seen incredible things in this house. Helmer must know everything; there must be an end to this unhappy secret. These two must come to a full understanding. They must have done with all these shifts and subterfuges. KROGSTAD. Very well, if you like to risk it. But _one_ thing I can do, and at once—— MRS. LINDEN. [_Listening._] Make haste! Go, go! The dance is over; we’re not safe another moment. KROGSTAD. I shall wait for you in the street. MRS. LINDEN. Yes, do; you must see me home. KROGSTAD. I never was so happy in all my life! [KROGSTAD _goes out by the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remains open._ MRS. LINDEN. [_Arranging the room and getting her outdoor things together._] What a change! What a change! To have some one to work for, to live for; a home to make happy! Well, it shall not be my fault if I fail.—I wish they would come.—[_Listens._] Ah, here they are! I must get my things on.