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?
HELMER.
[looking at them]. Doctor Rank. They were on the top. He must have put them in when he went out.
NORA.
Is there anything written on them?
HELMER.
There is a black cross over the name. Look there—what an uncomfortable idea! It looks as if he were announcing his own death.
NORA.
It is just what he is doing.
HELMER.
What? Do you know anything about it? Has he said anything to you?
NORA.
Yes. He told me that when the cards came it would be his leave-taking from us. He means to shut himself up and die.