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; and then four-and-twenty hours until the next midnight. Then the Tarantella will be over. Twenty-four and seven? Thirty-one hours to live.
HELMER.
[from the doorway on the right]. Where’s my little skylark?
NORA.
[going to him with her arms outstretched]. Here she is!
ACT III
[THE SAME SCENE.—The table has been placed in the middle of the stage, with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above. Mrs Linde is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door.]
MRS LINDE.
[looking at her watch]. Not yet—and the time is nearly up. If only he does not—. [Listens again.] Ah, there he is. [Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers.] Come in. There is no one here.