Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/113

 only one last investigation to be made, and when that is over I shall know pretty certainly when the break-up will begin. There's one thing I want to say to you: Helmer's delicate nature shrinks so from all that is horrible: I will not have him in my sick-room

Nora.

But, Doctor Rank

Rank.

I won't have him, I say—not on any account! I shall lock my door against him.—As soon as I am quite certain of the worst, I shall send you my visiting-card with a black cross on it; and then you will know that the final horror has begun.

Nora.

Why, you're perfectly unreasonable to-day; and I did so want you to be in a really good humour.

Rank.

With death staring me in the face?—And to suffer thus for another's sin! Where's the justice of it? And in one way or another you can trace in every family some such inexorable retribution

Nora.

[Stopping her ears.] Nonsense, nonsense! Now cheer up!

Rank.

Well, after all, the whole thing's only worth laughing at. My poor innocent spine must do penance for my father's wild oats.