"My, my Pill-doctor!"
The New Assistant.
[Comes out on verandah.] I am happy to inform you that—as, to avoid accidents, I took the simple precaution of filling all the dispensary-jars with camphorated chalk—no serious results may be anticipated from Dr. Herdal's rashness. [Removes spectacles.] Nora, don't you know me?
Hilda.
[Reflects.] I really don't remember having the pleasure—— And I'm sure I heard a harp in the air!
Mrs. Herdal.
I fancy, Miss Wangel, it must have been merely a bee in your bonnet.
The New Assistant.
[Tenderly.] Still the same little singing-bird! Oh, Nora, my long-lost lark!
Hilda.
[Sulkily.] I'm not a lark—I'm a bird of prey—and when I get my claws into anything——!
The New Assistant.
Macaroons, for instance? I remember your tastes of old. See, Nora! [Produces a paper-bag from his coat-tail pocket.] They were fresh this morning!
Hilda.
[Wavering.] If you insist on calling me Nora, I think you must be just a little mad yourself.
The New Assistant.
We are all a little mad—in Norway. But Torvald Helmer is sane enough still to recognise his own little squirrel again! Surely, Nora, your education is complete at last—you have gained the experience you needed?
Hilda.
[Nods slowly.] Yes, Torvald, you're right enough there. I have thought things out for myself, and have got clear about them. And I have quite made up my mind that Society and the Law are all wrong, and that I am right.
Helmer.
[Overjoyed.] Then you have learnt the Great Lesson, and are fit to undertake the charge of your children's education at last! You've no notion how they've grown! Yes, Nora, our marriage will be a true marriage now. You will come back to the Dolls' House, won't you?
Hilda-Nora-Helmer-Wangel.
[Hesitates.] Will you let me forge cheques if I do, Torvald?
Helmer.
[Ardently.] All day. And at night, Nora, we will falsify the accounts—together!
Hilda-Nora-Helmer-Wangel.
[Throws herself into his arms, and helps herself to macaroons.] That will be fearfully thrilling! My—my Manager!
Dr. Herdal.
[Comes out very pale, from dispensary.] Hilda I did take the—— I'm afraid I interrupt you?
Helmer.
Not in the least. But this lady is my little lark, and she is going back to her cage by the next steamer.
Dr. Herdal.
[Bitterly.] Am I never to have a gleam of happiness? But stay—do I see my little Senna once more?
Rübub.
Pardon me—my little Senna. She always believed so firmly in my pill!
Dr. Herdal.
Well—well. If it must be. Rübub, I will take you into partnership, and we will take out a patent for that pill, jointly. Aline, my poor dear Aline, let us try once more if we cannot bring a ray of brightness into our cheerless home!
Mrs. Herdal.
Oh, Haustus, if only we could—but why do you propose that to me—now?
Dr. Herdal.
[Softly—to himself.] Because I have tried being a troll—and found that nothing came of it, and it wasn't worth sixpence!
[Hilda-Nora goes off to the right with Helmer; Senna to the left with Rübub; Dr. Herdal and Mrs. Herdal sit on two of the galvanised-iron chairs, and shake their heads disconsolately as the Curtain falls.
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson and Co.
London and Edinburgh.
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