Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/174

 Helmer.

You alarm me, Nora. I don't understand you.

Nora.

No, that is just it. You don't understand me; and I have never understood you—till to-night. No, don't interrupt. Only listen to what I say.—We must come to a final settlement, Torvald.

Helmer.

How do you mean?

Nora.

[After a short silence.] Does not one thing strike you as we sit here?

Helmer.

What should strike me?

Nora.

We have been married eight years. Does it not strike you that this is the first time we two, you and I, man and wife, have talked together seriously?

Helmer.

Seriously! What do you call seriously?

Nora.

During eight whole years, and more—ever since the day we first met—we have never exchanged one serious word about serious things.

Helmer.

Was I always to trouble you with the cares you could not help me to bear?