Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House. Nora: You must not think of anything but me, either today or tomorrow; you mustn't open a single letter—not even open the letter-box— Helmer: Ah, you are still afraid of that fellow— Nora: Yes, indeed I am. Helmer: Nora, I can tell from your looks that there is a letter from him lying there. Nora: I don't know; I think there is; but you must not read anything of that kind now. Nothing horrid must come between us until this is all over. Rank: [whispers to HELMER] You mustn't contradict her. Helmer: [taking her in his arms] The child shall have her way. But tomorrow night, after you have danced— Nora: Then you will be free. [The MAID appears in the doorway to the right. ] Maid: Dinner is served, ma'am. Nora: We will have champagne, Helen. Maid: Very good, ma'am. [Exit. ] Helmer: Hullo!—are we going to have a banquet? Nora: Yes, a champagne banquet until the small hours. [Calls out. ] And a few macaroons, Helen—lots, just for once! Helmer: Come, come, don't be so wild and nervous. Be my own little skylark, as you used. Nora: Yes, dear, I will. But go in now and you too, Doctor Rank. Christine, you must help me to do up my hair. Rank: [whispers to HELMER as they go out] I suppose there is nothing—she is not expecting anything? Helmer: Far from it, my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more than this childish nervousness I was telling you of. [They go into the right-hand room. ] Nora: Well? Mrs. Linde: Gone out of town. Nora: I could tell from your face. Mrs. Linde: He is coming home tomorrow evening. I wrote a note for him. Nora: You should have let it alone; you must prevent nothing. After all, it is splendid to be waiting for a wonderful thing to happen. Mrs. Linde: What is it that you are waiting for? Nora: Oh, you wouldn't understand. Go in to them, I will come in a moment. [MRS. LINDE goes into the dining-room. NORA stands still for a little while, as if to compose herself. Then she looks at her watch. ] Five o'clock. Seven hours until midnight; an.
