Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/121

 Rank.

No; not exactly. But perhaps I ought to go—for ever.

Nora.

No, indeed you mustn't. Of course you must come and go as you've always done. You know very well that Torvald can't do without you.

Rank.

Yes, but you?

Nora.

Oh, you know I always like to have you here.

Rank.

That is just what led me astray. You are a riddle to me. It has often seemed to me as if you liked being with me almost as much as being with Helmer.

Nora.

Yes; don't you see? There are people one loves, and others one likes to talk to.

Rank.

Yes—there's something in that.

Nora.

When I was a girl, of course I loved papa best. But it always delighted me to steal into the servants' room. In the first place they never lectured me, and in the second it was such fun to hear them talk.

Rank.

Ah, I see; then it's their place I have taken?

Nora.

[Jumps up and hurries towards him.] Oh, my