Helmer.  Yes, but what do you suggest as an appropriate costume for that?

Rank.  Let your wife go dressed just as she is in every-day life.

Helmer.  That was really very prettily turned.  But can’t you tell us what you will be?

Rank.  Yes, my dear friend, I have quite made up my mind about that.

Helmer.  Well?

Rank.  At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible.

Helmer That’s a good joke!

Rank.  There is a big black hat—­have you never heard of hats that make you invisible?  If you put one on, no one can see you.

Helmer (suppressing a smile).  Yes, you are quite right.

Rank.  But I am clean forgetting what I came for.  Helmer, give me a cigar—­one of the dark Havanas.

Helmer.  With the greatest pleasure. (Offers him his case.)

Rank (takes a cigar and cuts off the end).  Thanks.

Nora (striking a match).  Let me give you a light.

Rank.  Thank you. (She holds the match for him to light his cigar.) And now good-bye!

Helmer.  Good-bye, good-bye, dear old man!

Nora.  Sleep well, Doctor Rank.

Rank.  Thank you for that wish.

Nora.  Wish me the same.

Rank.  You?  Well, if you want me to sleep well!  And thanks for the light. (He nods to them both and goes out.)

Helmer (in a subdued voice).  He has drunk more than he ought.

Nora (absently).  Maybe. (HELMER takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and goes into the hall.) Torvald! what are you going to do there?

Helmer.  Empty the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put the newspaper in to-morrow morning.

Nora. Are you going to work to-night?

Helmer.  You know quite well I’m not.  What is this?  Some one has been at the lock.

Nora.  At the lock?

Helmer.  Yes, someone has.  What can it mean?  I should never have thought the maid—.  Here is a broken hairpin.  Nora, it is one of yours.

Nora (quickly).  Then it must have been the children—­

Helmer.  Then you must get them out of those ways.  There, at last I have got it open. (Takes out the contents of the letter-box, and calls to the kitchen.) Helen!—­Helen, put out the light over the front door. (Goes back into the room and shuts the door into the hall.  He holds out his hand full of letters.) Look at that—­look what a heap of them there are. (Turning them over.) What on earth is that?

Nora (at the window).  The letter—­No!  Torvald, no!

Helmer. Two cards—­of Rank’s.

Nora. Of Doctor Rank’s?