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If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A Doll’s House - -Author: Henrik Ibsen - -Release Date: March, 2001 [eBook #2542] -[Most recently updated: October 6, 2022] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Martin Adamson and David Widger - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DOLL’S HOUSE *** - - - - -A Doll’s House - -by Henrik Ibsen - - -Contents - - ACT I. - ACT II. - ACT III. - - - DRAMATIS PERSONAE - -Torvald Helmer. -Nora, his wife. -Doctor Rank. -Mrs Linde. -Nils Krogstad. -Helmer’s three young children. -Anne, their nurse. -A Housemaid. -A Porter. - -_[The action takes place in Helmer’s house.]_ - - - - -A DOLL’S HOUSE - - - - -ACT I - - -_[SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not -extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to the -entrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between the -doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, -and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, arm-chairs -and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another -door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy -chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stove and the door, a small -table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small -objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors are -carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter._ - -_A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to -open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor -dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to -the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is -seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he -gives to the MAID who has opened the door.]_ - -NORA. -Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not -see it until this evening, when it is dressed. _[To the PORTER, taking -out her purse.]_ How much? - -PORTER. -Sixpence. - -NORA. -There is a shilling. No, keep the change. _[The PORTER thanks her, and -goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes -off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket -and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and -listens.]_ Yes, he is in. _[Still humming, she goes to the table on the -right.]_ - -HELMER. -_[calls out from his room]_. Is that my little lark twittering out -there? - -NORA. -_[busy opening some of the parcels]_. Yes, it is! - -HELMER. -Is it my little squirrel bustling about? - -NORA. -Yes! - -HELMER. -When did my squirrel come home? - -NORA. -Just now. _[Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her -mouth.]_ Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought. - -HELMER. -Don’t disturb me. _[A little later, he opens the door and looks into -the room, pen in hand.]_ Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my -little spendthrift been wasting money again? - -NORA. -Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. -This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise. - -HELMER. -Still, you know, we can’t spend money recklessly. - -NORA. -Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn’t we? Just a -tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots -of money. - -HELMER. -Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the -salary is due. - -NORA. -Pooh! we can borrow until then. - -HELMER. -Nora! _[Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear.]_ The same -little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, -and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year’s Eve -a slate fell on my head and killed me, and— - -NORA. -_[putting her hands over his mouth]_. Oh! don’t say such horrid things. - -HELMER. -Still, suppose that happened,—what then? - -NORA. -If that were to happen, I don’t suppose I should care whether I owed -money or not. - -HELMER. -Yes, but what about the people who had lent it? - -NORA. -They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who they were. - -HELMER. -That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about -that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a -home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely -on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the -short time longer that there need be any struggle. - -NORA. -_[moving towards the stove]_. As you please, Torvald. - -HELMER. -_[following her]_. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her -wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? _[Taking out -his purse.]_ Nora, what do you think I have got here? - -NORA. -_[turning round quickly]_. Money! - -HELMER. -There you are. _[Gives her some money.]_ Do you think I don’t know what -a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time? - -NORA. -_[counting]_. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, -Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time. - -HELMER. -Indeed it must. - -NORA. -Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have -bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a -sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s -bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break -them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the -maids; old Anne ought really to have something better. - -HELMER. -And what is in this parcel? - -NORA. -_[crying out]_. No, no! you mustn’t see that until this evening. - -HELMER. -Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant little person, what would -you like for yourself? - -NORA. -For myself? Oh, I am sure I don’t want anything. - -HELMER. -Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that you would -particularly like to have. - -NORA. -No, I really can’t think of anything—unless, Torvald— - -HELMER. -Well? - -NORA. -_[playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyes to his]_. -If you really want to give me something, you might—you might— - -HELMER. -Well, out with it! - -NORA. -_[speaking quickly]_. You might give me money, Torvald. Only just as -much as you can afford; and then one of these days I will buy something -with it. - -HELMER. -But, Nora— - -NORA. -Oh, do! dear Torvald; please, please do! Then I will wrap it up in -beautiful gilt paper and hang it on the Christmas Tree. Wouldn’t that -be fun? - -HELMER. -What are little people called that are always wasting money? - -NORA. -Spendthrifts—I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torvald, and then I -shall have time to think what I am most in want of. That is a very -sensible plan, isn’t it? - -HELMER. -_[smiling]_. Indeed it is—that is to say, if you were really to save -out of the money I give you, and then really buy something for -yourself. But if you spend it all on the housekeeping and any number of -unnecessary things, then I merely have to pay up again. - -NORA. -Oh but, Torvald— - -HELMER. -You can’t deny it, my dear little Nora. _[Puts his arm round her -waist.]_ It’s a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of -money. One would hardly believe how expensive such little persons are! - -NORA. -It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can. - -HELMER. -_[laughing]_. That’s very true,—all you can. But you can’t save -anything! - -NORA. -_[smiling quietly and happily]_. You haven’t any idea how many expenses -we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald. - -HELMER. -You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some -new way of wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, -it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. -Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood; for indeed it -is true that you can inherit these things, Nora. - -NORA. -Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa’s qualities. - -HELMER. -And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet -little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking -rather—what shall I say—rather uneasy today? - -NORA. -Do I? - -HELMER. -You do, really. Look straight at me. - -NORA. -_[looks at him]_. Well? - -HELMER. -_[wagging his finger at her]_. Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking -rules in town today? - -NORA. -No; what makes you think that? - -HELMER. -Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s? - -NORA. -No, I assure you, Torvald— - -HELMER. -Not been nibbling sweets? - -NORA. -No, certainly not. - -HELMER. -Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two? - -NORA. -No, Torvald, I assure you really— - -HELMER. -There, there, of course I was only joking. - -NORA. -_[going to the table on the right]_. I should not think of going -against your wishes. - -HELMER. -No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word— _[Going up to -her.]_ Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They -will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas Tree is lit, no doubt. - -NORA. -Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank? - -HELMER. -No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner -with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have -ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward -to this evening. - -NORA. -So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald! - -HELMER. -It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a -big enough income. It’s delightful to think of, isn’t it? - -NORA. -It’s wonderful! - -HELMER. -Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you -shut yourself up every evening until long after midnight, making -ornaments for the Christmas Tree, and all the other fine things that -were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever -spent! - -NORA. -I didn’t find it dull. - -HELMER. -_[smiling]_. But there was precious little result, Nora. - -NORA. -Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s -going in and tearing everything to pieces? - -HELMER. -Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of -intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a -good thing that our hard times are over. - -NORA. -Yes, it is really wonderful. - -HELMER. -This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t -ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands— - -NORA. -_[clapping her hands]_. No, Torvald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s -wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! _[Taking his arm.]_ Now I will -tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. -As soon as Christmas is over—_[A bell rings in the hall.]_ There’s the -bell. _[She tidies the room a little.]_ There’s some one at the door. -What a nuisance! - -HELMER. -If it is a caller, remember I am not at home. - -MAID. -_[in the doorway]_. A lady to see you, ma’am,—a stranger. - -NORA. -Ask her to come in. - -MAID. -_[to HELMER]_. The doctor came at the same time, sir. - -HELMER. -Did he go straight into my room? - -MAID. -Yes, sir. - -_[HELMER goes into his room. The MAID ushers in Mrs Linde, who is in -travelling dress, and shuts the door.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -_[in a dejected and timid voice]_. How do you do, Nora? - -NORA. -_[doubtfully]_. How do you do— - -MRS LINDE. -You don’t recognise me, I suppose. - -NORA. -No, I don’t know—yes, to be sure, I seem to—_[Suddenly.]_ Yes! -Christine! Is it really you? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, it is I. - -NORA. -Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I—_[In -a gentle voice.]_ How you have altered, Christine! - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years— - -NORA. -Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have -been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into -the town, and have taken this long journey in winter—that was plucky of -you. - -MRS LINDE. -I arrived by steamer this morning. - -NORA. -To have some fun at Christmas-time, of course. How delightful! We will -have such fun together! But take off your things. You are not cold, I -hope. _[Helps her.]_ Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. -No, take this armchair; I will sit here in the rocking-chair. _[Takes -her hands.]_ Now you look like your old self again; it was only the -first moment—You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little -thinner. - -MRS LINDE. -And much, much older, Nora. - -NORA. -Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. _[Stops -suddenly and speaks seriously.]_ What a thoughtless creature I am, -chattering away like this. My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me. - -MRS LINDE. -What do you mean, Nora? - -NORA. -_[gently]_. Poor Christine, you are a widow. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes; it is three years ago now. - -NORA. -Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine, I meant -ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and -something always prevented me. - -MRS LINDE. -I quite understand, dear. - -NORA. -It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have -suffered. And he left you nothing? - -MRS LINDE. -No. - -NORA. -And no children? - -MRS LINDE. -No. - -NORA. -Nothing at all, then. - -MRS LINDE. -Not even any sorrow or grief to live upon. - -NORA. -_[looking incredulously at her]_. But, Christine, is that possible? - -MRS LINDE. -_[smiles sadly and strokes her hair]_. It sometimes happens, Nora. - -NORA. -So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three -lovely children. You can’t see them just now, for they are out with -their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it. - -MRS LINDE. -No, no; I want to hear about you. - -NORA. -No, you must begin. I mustn’t be selfish today; today I must only think -of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we -have just had a great piece of good luck? - -MRS LINDE. -No, what is it? - -NORA. -Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank! - -MRS LINDE. -Your husband? What good luck! - -NORA. -Yes, tremendous! A barrister’s profession is such an uncertain thing, -especially if he won’t undertake unsavoury cases; and naturally Torvald -has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may -imagine how pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the Bank at -the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of -commissions. For the future we can live quite differently—we can do -just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be -splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won’t -it? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs. - -NORA. -No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money. - -MRS LINDE. -_[smiling]_. Nora, Nora, haven’t you learned sense yet? In our -schooldays you were a great spendthrift. - -NORA. -_[laughing]_. Yes, that is what Torvald says now. _[Wags her finger at -her.]_ But “Nora, Nora” is not so silly as you think. We have not been -in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work. - -MRS LINDE. -You too? - -NORA. -Yes; odds and ends, needlework, crotchet-work, embroidery, and that -kind of thing. _[Dropping her voice.]_ And other things as well. You -know Torvald left his office when we were married? There was no -prospect of promotion there, and he had to try and earn more than -before. But during the first year he over-worked himself dreadfully. -You see, he had to make money every way he could, and he worked early -and late; but he couldn’t stand it, and fell dreadfully ill, and the -doctors said it was necessary for him to go south. - -MRS LINDE. -You spent a whole year in Italy, didn’t you? - -NORA. -Yes. It was no easy matter to get away, I can tell you. It was just -after Ivar was born; but naturally we had to go. It was a wonderfully -beautiful journey, and it saved Torvald’s life. But it cost a -tremendous lot of money, Christine. - -MRS LINDE. -So I should think. - -NORA. -It cost about two hundred and fifty pounds. That’s a lot, isn’t it? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, and in emergencies like that it is lucky to have the money. - -NORA. -I ought to tell you that we had it from papa. - -MRS LINDE. -Oh, I see. It was just about that time that he died, wasn’t it? - -NORA. -Yes; and, just think of it, I couldn’t go and nurse him. I was -expecting little Ivar’s birth every day and I had my poor sick Torvald -to look after. My dear, kind father—I never saw him again, Christine. -That was the saddest time I have known since our marriage. - -MRS LINDE. -I know how fond you were of him. And then you went off to Italy? - -NORA. -Yes; you see we had money then, and the doctors insisted on our going, -so we started a month later. - -MRS LINDE. -And your husband came back quite well? - -NORA. -As sound as a bell! - -MRS LINDE. -But—the doctor? - -NORA. -What doctor? - -MRS LINDE. -I thought your maid said the gentleman who arrived here just as I did, -was the doctor? - -NORA. -Yes, that was Doctor Rank, but he doesn’t come here professionally. He -is our greatest friend, and comes in at least once every day. No, -Torvald has not had an hour’s illness since then, and our children are -strong and healthy and so am I. _[Jumps up and claps her hands.]_ -Christine! Christine! it’s good to be alive and happy!—But how horrid -of me; I am talking of nothing but my own affairs. _[Sits on a stool -near her, and rests her arms on her knees.]_ You mustn’t be angry with -me. Tell me, is it really true that you did not love your husband? Why -did you marry him? - -MRS LINDE. -My mother was alive then, and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to -provide for my two younger brothers; so I did not think I was justified -in refusing his offer. - -NORA. -No, perhaps you were quite right. He was rich at that time, then? - -MRS LINDE. -I believe he was quite well off. But his business was a precarious one; -and, when he died, it all went to pieces and there was nothing left. - -NORA. -And then?— - -MRS LINDE. -Well, I had to turn my hand to anything I could find—first a small -shop, then a small school, and so on. The last three years have seemed -like one long working-day, with no rest. Now it is at an end, Nora. My -poor mother needs me no more, for she is gone; and the boys do not need -me either; they have got situations and can shift for themselves. - -NORA. -What a relief you must feel if— - -MRS LINDE. -No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for -anymore. _[Gets up restlessly.]_ That was why I could not stand the -life in my little backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier here to -find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I -could have the good luck to get some regular work—office work of some -kind— - -NORA. -But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out -now. You had far better go away to some watering-place. - -MRS LINDE. -_[walking to the window]_. I have no father to give me money for a -journey, Nora. - -NORA. -_[rising]_. Oh, don’t be angry with me! - -MRS LINDE. -_[going up to her]_. It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. -The worst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No -one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for -chances. One must live, and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of -the happy turn your fortunes have taken—you will hardly believe it—I -was delighted not so much on your account as on my own. - -NORA. -How do you mean?—Oh, I understand. You mean that perhaps Torvald could -get you something to do. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, that was what I was thinking of. - -NORA. -He must, Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach the subject very -cleverly—I will think of something that will please him very much. It -will make me so happy to be of some use to you. - -MRS LINDE. -How kind you are, Nora, to be so anxious to help me! It is doubly kind -in you, for you know so little of the burdens and troubles of life. - -NORA. -I—? I know so little of them? - -MRS LINDE. -_[smiling]_. My dear! Small household cares and that sort of thing!—You -are a child, Nora. - -NORA. -_[tosses her head and crosses the stage]_. You ought not to be so -superior. - -MRS LINDE. -No? - -NORA. -You are just like the others. They all think that I am incapable of -anything really serious— - -MRS LINDE. -Come, come— - -NORA. -—that I have gone through nothing in this world of cares. - -MRS LINDE. -But, my dear Nora, you have just told me all your troubles. - -NORA. -Pooh!—those were trifles. _[Lowering her voice.]_ I have not told you -the important thing. - -MRS LINDE. -The important thing? What do you mean? - -NORA. -You look down upon me altogether, Christine—but you ought not to. You -are proud, aren’t you, of having worked so hard and so long for your -mother? - -MRS LINDE. -Indeed, I don’t look down on anyone. But it is true that I am both -proud and glad to think that I was privileged to make the end of my -mother’s life almost free from care. - -NORA. -And you are proud to think of what you have done for your brothers? - -MRS LINDE. -I think I have the right to be. - -NORA. -I think so, too. But now, listen to this; I too have something to be -proud and glad of. - -MRS LINDE. -I have no doubt you have. But what do you refer to? - -NORA. -Speak low. Suppose Torvald were to hear! He mustn’t on any account—no -one in the world must know, Christine, except you. - -MRS LINDE. -But what is it? - -NORA. -Come here. _[Pulls her down on the sofa beside her.]_ Now I will show -you that I too have something to be proud and glad of. It was I who -saved Torvald’s life. - -MRS LINDE. -“Saved”? How? - -NORA. -I told you about our trip to Italy. Torvald would never have recovered -if he had not gone there— - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, but your father gave you the necessary funds. - -NORA. -_[smiling]_. Yes, that is what Torvald and all the others think, but— - -MRS LINDE. -But— - -NORA. -Papa didn’t give us a shilling. It was I who procured the money. - -MRS LINDE. -You? All that large sum? - -NORA. -Two hundred and fifty pounds. What do you think of that? - -MRS LINDE. -But, Nora, how could you possibly do it? Did you win a prize in the -Lottery? - -NORA. -_[contemptuously]_. In the Lottery? There would have been no credit in -that. - -MRS LINDE. -But where did you get it from, then? Nora _[humming and smiling with an -air of mystery]_. Hm, hm! Aha! - -MRS LINDE. -Because you couldn’t have borrowed it. - -NORA. -Couldn’t I? Why not? - -MRS LINDE. -No, a wife cannot borrow without her husband’s consent. - -NORA. -_[tossing her head]_. Oh, if it is a wife who has any head for -business—a wife who has the wit to be a little bit clever— - -MRS LINDE. -I don’t understand it at all, Nora. - -NORA. -There is no need you should. I never said I had borrowed the money. I -may have got it some other way. _[Lies back on the sofa.]_ Perhaps I -got it from some other admirer. When anyone is as attractive as I am— - -MRS LINDE. -You are a mad creature. - -NORA. -Now, you know you’re full of curiosity, Christine. - -MRS LINDE. -Listen to me, Nora dear. Haven’t you been a little bit imprudent? - -NORA. -_[sits up straight]_. Is it imprudent to save your husband’s life? - -MRS LINDE. -It seems to me imprudent, without his knowledge, to— - -NORA. -But it was absolutely necessary that he should not know! My goodness, -can’t you understand that? It was necessary he should have no idea what -a dangerous condition he was in. It was to me that the doctors came and -said that his life was in danger, and that the only thing to save him -was to live in the south. Do you suppose I didn’t try, first of all, to -get what I wanted as if it were for myself? I told him how much I -should love to travel abroad like other young wives; I tried tears and -entreaties with him; I told him that he ought to remember the condition -I was in, and that he ought to be kind and indulgent to me; I even -hinted that he might raise a loan. That nearly made him angry, -Christine. He said I was thoughtless, and that it was his duty as my -husband not to indulge me in my whims and caprices—as I believe he -called them. Very well, I thought, you must be saved—and that was how I -came to devise a way out of the difficulty— - -MRS LINDE. -And did your husband never get to know from your father that the money -had not come from him? - -NORA. -No, never. Papa died just at that time. I had meant to let him into the -secret and beg him never to reveal it. But he was so ill then—alas, -there never was any need to tell him. - -MRS LINDE. -And since then have you never told your secret to your husband? - -NORA. -Good Heavens, no! How could you think so? A man who has such strong -opinions about these things! And besides, how painful and humiliating -it would be for Torvald, with his manly independence, to know that he -owed me anything! It would upset our mutual relations altogether; our -beautiful happy home would no longer be what it is now. - -MRS LINDE. -Do you mean never to tell him about it? - -NORA. -_[meditatively, and with a half smile]_. Yes—someday, perhaps, after -many years, when I am no longer as nice-looking as I am now. Don’t -laugh at me! I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as devoted to -me as he is now; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have -palled on him; then it may be a good thing to have something in -reserve—_[Breaking off.]_ What nonsense! That time will never come. -Now, what do you think of my great secret, Christine? Do you still -think I am of no use? I can tell you, too, that this affair has caused -me a lot of worry. It has been by no means easy for me to meet my -engagements punctually. I may tell you that there is something that is -called, in business, quarterly interest, and another thing called -payment in installments, and it is always so dreadfully difficult to -manage them. I have had to save a little here and there, where I could, -you understand. I have not been able to put aside much from my -housekeeping money, for Torvald must have a good table. I couldn’t let -my children be shabbily dressed; I have felt obliged to use up all he -gave me for them, the sweet little darlings! - -MRS LINDE. -So it has all had to come out of your own necessaries of life, poor -Nora? - -NORA. -Of course. Besides, I was the one responsible for it. Whenever Torvald -has given me money for new dresses and such things, I have never spent -more than half of it; I have always bought the simplest and cheapest -things. Thank Heaven, any clothes look well on me, and so Torvald has -never noticed it. But it was often very hard on me, Christine—because -it is delightful to be really well dressed, isn’t it? - -MRS LINDE. -Quite so. - -NORA. -Well, then I have found other ways of earning money. Last winter I was -lucky enough to get a lot of copying to do; so I locked myself up and -sat writing every evening until quite late at night. Many a time I was -desperately tired; but all the same it was a tremendous pleasure to sit -there working and earning money. It was like being a man. - -MRS LINDE. -How much have you been able to pay off in that way? - -NORA. -I can’t tell you exactly. You see, it is very difficult to keep an -account of a business matter of that kind. I only know that I have paid -every penny that I could scrape together. Many a time I was at my wits’ -end. _[Smiles.]_ Then I used to sit here and imagine that a rich old -gentleman had fallen in love with me— - -MRS LINDE. -What! Who was it? - -NORA. -Be quiet!—that he had died; and that when his will was opened it -contained, written in big letters, the instruction: “The lovely Mrs -Nora Helmer is to have all I possess paid over to her at once in cash.” - -MRS LINDE. -But, my dear Nora—who could the man be? - -NORA. -Good gracious, can’t you understand? There was no old gentleman at all; -it was only something that I used to sit here and imagine, when I -couldn’t think of any way of procuring money. But it’s all the same -now; the tiresome old person can stay where he is, as far as I am -concerned; I don’t care about him or his will either, for I am free -from care now. _[Jumps up.]_ My goodness, it’s delightful to think of, -Christine! Free from care! To be able to be free from care, quite free -from care; to be able to play and romp with the children; to be able to -keep the house beautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes -it! And, think of it, soon the spring will come and the big blue sky! -Perhaps we shall be able to take a little trip—perhaps I shall see the -sea again! Oh, it’s a wonderful thing to be alive and be happy. _[A -bell is heard in the hall.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -_[rising]_. There is the bell; perhaps I had better go. - -NORA. -No, don’t go; no one will come in here; it is sure to be for Torvald. - -SERVANT. -_[at the hall door]_. Excuse me, ma’am—there is a gentleman to see the -master, and as the doctor is with him— - -NORA. -Who is it? - -KROGSTAD. -_[at the door]_. It is I, Mrs Helmer. _[Mrs LINDE starts, trembles, and -turns to the window.]_ - -NORA. -_[takes a step towards him, and speaks in a strained, low voice]_. You? -What is it? What do you want to see my husband about? - -KROGSTAD. -Bank business—in a way. I have a small post in the Bank, and I hear -your husband is to be our chief now— - -NORA. -Then it is— - -KROGSTAD. -Nothing but dry business matters, Mrs Helmer; absolutely nothing else. - -NORA. -Be so good as to go into the study, then. _[She bows indifferently to -him and shuts the door into the hall; then comes back and makes up the -fire in the stove.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -Nora—who was that man? - -NORA. -A lawyer, of the name of Krogstad. - -MRS LINDE. -Then it really was he. - -NORA. -Do you know the man? - -MRS LINDE. -I used to—many years ago. At one time he was a solicitor’s clerk in our -town. - -NORA. -Yes, he was. - -MRS LINDE. -He is greatly altered. - -NORA. -He made a very unhappy marriage. - -MRS LINDE. -He is a widower now, isn’t he? - -NORA. -With several children. There now, it is burning up. [Shuts the door of -the stove and moves the rocking-chair aside.] - -MRS LINDE. -They say he carries on various kinds of business. - -NORA. -Really! Perhaps he does; I don’t know anything about it. But don’t let -us think of business; it is so tiresome. - -DOCTOR RANK. -_[comes out of HELMER’S study. Before he shuts the door he calls to -him]_. No, my dear fellow, I won’t disturb you; I would rather go in to -your wife for a little while. _[Shuts the door and sees Mrs LINDE.]_ I -beg your pardon; I am afraid I am disturbing you too. - -NORA. -No, not at all. _[Introducing him]_. Doctor Rank, Mrs Linde. - -RANK. -I have often heard Mrs Linde’s name mentioned here. I think I passed -you on the stairs when I arrived, Mrs Linde? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, I go up very slowly; I can’t manage stairs well. - -RANK. -Ah! some slight internal weakness? - -MRS LINDE. -No, the fact is I have been overworking myself. - -RANK. -Nothing more than that? Then I suppose you have come to town to amuse -yourself with our entertainments? - -MRS LINDE. -I have come to look for work. - -RANK. -Is that a good cure for overwork? - -MRS LINDE. -One must live, Doctor Rank. - -RANK. -Yes, the general opinion seems to be that it is necessary. - -NORA. -Look here, Doctor Rank—you know you want to live. - -RANK. -Certainly. However wretched I may feel, I want to prolong the agony as -long as possible. All my patients are like that. And so are those who -are morally diseased; one of them, and a bad case too, is at this very -moment with Helmer— - -MRS LINDE. -_[sadly]_. Ah! - -NORA. -Whom do you mean? - -RANK. -A lawyer of the name of Krogstad, a fellow you don’t know at all. He -suffers from a diseased moral character, Mrs Helmer; but even he began -talking of its being highly important that he should live. - -NORA. -Did he? What did he want to speak to Torvald about? - -RANK. -I have no idea; I only heard that it was something about the Bank. - -NORA. -I didn’t know this—what’s his name—Krogstad had anything to do with the -Bank. - -RANK. -Yes, he has some sort of appointment there. _[To Mrs Linde.]_ I don’t -know whether you find also in your part of the world that there are -certain people who go zealously snuffing about to smell out moral -corruption, and, as soon as they have found some, put the person -concerned into some lucrative position where they can keep their eye on -him. Healthy natures are left out in the cold. - -MRS LINDE. -Still I think the sick are those who most need taking care of. - -RANK. -_[shrugging his shoulders]_. Yes, there you are. That is the sentiment -that is turning Society into a sick-house. - -_[NORA, who has been absorbed in her thoughts, breaks out into -smothered laughter and claps her hands.]_ - -RANK. -Why do you laugh at that? Have you any notion what Society really is? - -NORA. -What do I care about tiresome Society? I am laughing at something quite -different, something extremely amusing. Tell me, Doctor Rank, are all -the people who are employed in the Bank dependent on Torvald now? - -RANK. -Is that what you find so extremely amusing? - -NORA. -_[smiling and humming]_. That’s my affair! _[Walking about the room.]_ -It’s perfectly glorious to think that we have—that Torvald has so much -power over so many people. _[Takes the packet from her pocket.]_ Doctor -Rank, what do you say to a macaroon? - -RANK. -What, macaroons? I thought they were forbidden here. - -NORA. -Yes, but these are some Christine gave me. - -MRS LINDE. -What! I?— - -NORA. -Oh, well, don’t be alarmed! You couldn’t know that Torvald had -forbidden them. I must tell you that he is afraid they will spoil my -teeth. But, bah!—once in a way—That’s so, isn’t it, Doctor Rank? By -your leave! _[Puts a macaroon into his mouth.]_ You must have one too, -Christine. And I shall have one, just a little one—or at most two. -_[Walking about.]_ I am tremendously happy. There is just one thing in -the world now that I should dearly love to do. - -RANK. -Well, what is that? - -NORA. -It’s something I should dearly love to say, if Torvald could hear me. - -RANK. -Well, why can’t you say it? - -NORA. -No, I daren’t; it’s so shocking. - -MRS LINDE. -Shocking? - -RANK. -Well, I should not advise you to say it. Still, with us you might. What -is it you would so much like to say if Torvald could hear you? - -NORA. -I should just love to say—Well, I’m damned! - -RANK. -Are you mad? - -MRS LINDE. -Nora, dear—! - -RANK. -Say it, here he is! - -NORA. -_[hiding the packet]_. Hush! Hush! Hush! _[HELMER comes out of his -room, with his coat over his arm and his hat in his hand.]_ - -NORA. -Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him? - -HELMER. -Yes, he has just gone. - -NORA. -Let me introduce you—this is Christine, who has come to town. - -HELMER. -Christine—? Excuse me, but I don’t know— - -NORA. -Mrs Linde, dear; Christine Linde. - -HELMER. -Of course. A school friend of my wife’s, I presume? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, we have known each other since then. - -NORA. -And just think, she has taken a long journey in order to see you. - -HELMER. -What do you mean? - -MRS LINDE. -No, really, I— - -NORA. -Christine is tremendously clever at book-keeping, and she is -frightfully anxious to work under some clever man, so as to perfect -herself— - -HELMER. -Very sensible, Mrs Linde. - -NORA. -And when she heard you had been appointed manager of the Bank—the news -was telegraphed, you know—she travelled here as quick as she could. -Torvald, I am sure you will be able to do something for Christine, for -my sake, won’t you? - -HELMER. -Well, it is not altogether impossible. I presume you are a widow, Mrs -Linde? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes. - -HELMER. -And have had some experience of book-keeping? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, a fair amount. - -HELMER. -Ah! well, it’s very likely I may be able to find something for you— - -NORA. -_[clapping her hands]_. What did I tell you? What did I tell you? - -HELMER. -You have just come at a fortunate moment, Mrs Linde. - -MRS LINDE. -How am I to thank you? - -HELMER. -There is no need. _[Puts on his coat.]_ But today you must excuse me— - -RANK. -Wait a minute; I will come with you. _[Brings his fur coat from the -hall and warms it at the fire.]_ - -NORA. -Don’t be long away, Torvald dear. - -HELMER. -About an hour, not more. - -NORA. -Are you going too, Christine? - -MRS LINDE. -_[putting on her cloak]_. Yes, I must go and look for a room. - -HELMER. -Oh, well then, we can walk down the street together. - -NORA. -_[helping her]_. What a pity it is we are so short of space here; I am -afraid it is impossible for us— - -MRS LINDE. -Please don’t think of it! Goodbye, Nora dear, and many thanks. - -NORA. -Goodbye for the present. Of course you will come back this evening. And -you too, Dr. Rank. What do you say? If you are well enough? Oh, you -must be! Wrap yourself up well. _[They go to the door all talking -together. Children’s voices are heard on the staircase.]_ - -NORA. -There they are! There they are! _[She runs to open the door. The NURSE -comes in with the children.]_ Come in! Come in! _[Stoops and kisses -them.]_ Oh, you sweet blessings! Look at them, Christine! Aren’t they -darlings? - -RANK. -Don’t let us stand here in the draught. - -HELMER. -Come along, Mrs Linde; the place will only be bearable for a mother -now! - -_[RANK, HELMER, and Mrs Linde go downstairs. The NURSE comes forward -with the children; NORA shuts the hall door.]_ - -NORA. -How fresh and well you look! Such red cheeks like apples and roses. -_[The children all talk at once while she speaks to them.]_ Have you -had great fun? That’s splendid! What, you pulled both Emmy and Bob -along on the sledge? —both at once?—that was good. You are a clever -boy, Ivar. Let me take her for a little, Anne. My sweet little baby -doll! _[Takes the baby from the MAID and dances it up and down.]_ Yes, -yes, mother will dance with Bob too. What! Have you been snowballing? I -wish I had been there too! No, no, I will take their things off, Anne; -please let me do it, it is such fun. Go in now, you look half frozen. -There is some hot coffee for you on the stove. - -_[The NURSE goes into the room on the left. NORA takes off the -children’s things and throws them about, while they all talk to her at -once.]_ - -NORA. -Really! Did a big dog run after you? But it didn’t bite you? No, dogs -don’t bite nice little dolly children. You mustn’t look at the parcels, -Ivar. What are they? Ah, I daresay you would like to know. No, no—it’s -something nasty! Come, let us have a game! What shall we play at? Hide -and Seek? Yes, we’ll play Hide and Seek. Bob shall hide first. Must I -hide? Very well, I’ll hide first. _[She and the children laugh and -shout, and romp in and out of the room; at last NORA hides under the -table, the children rush in and out for her, but do not see her; they -hear her smothered laughter, run to the table, lift up the cloth and -find her. Shouts of laughter. She crawls forward and pretends to -frighten them. Fresh laughter. Meanwhile there has been a knock at the -hall door, but none of them has noticed it. The door is half opened, -and KROGSTAD appears, he waits a little; the game goes on.]_ - -KROGSTAD. -Excuse me, Mrs Helmer. - -NORA. -_[with a stifled cry, turns round and gets up on to her knees]_. Ah! -what do you want? - -KROGSTAD. -Excuse me, the outer door was ajar; I suppose someone forgot to shut -it. - -NORA. -_[rising]_. My husband is out, Mr. Krogstad. - -KROGSTAD. -I know that. - -NORA. -What do you want here, then? - -KROGSTAD. -A word with you. - -NORA. -With me?—_[To the children, gently.]_ Go in to nurse. What? No, the -strange man won’t do mother any harm. When he has gone we will have -another game. _[She takes the children into the room on the left, and -shuts the door after them.]_ You want to speak to me? - -KROGSTAD. -Yes, I do. - -NORA. -Today? It is not the first of the month yet. - -KROGSTAD. -No, it is Christmas Eve, and it will depend on yourself what sort of a -Christmas you will spend. - -NORA. -What do you mean? Today it is absolutely impossible for me— - -KROGSTAD. -We won’t talk about that until later on. This is something different. I -presume you can give me a moment? - -NORA. -Yes—yes, I can—although— - -KROGSTAD. -Good. I was in Olsen’s Restaurant and saw your husband going down the -street— - -NORA. -Yes? - -KROGSTAD. -With a lady. - -NORA. -What then? - -KROGSTAD. -May I make so bold as to ask if it was a Mrs Linde? - -NORA. -It was. - -KROGSTAD. -Just arrived in town? - -NORA. -Yes, today. - -KROGSTAD. -She is a great friend of yours, isn’t she? - -NORA. -She is. But I don’t see— - -KROGSTAD. -I knew her too, once upon a time. - -NORA. -I am aware of that. - -KROGSTAD. -Are you? So you know all about it; I thought as much. Then I can ask -you, without beating about the bush—is Mrs Linde to have an appointment -in the Bank? - -NORA. -What right have you to question me, Mr. Krogstad?—You, one of my -husband’s subordinates! But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs -Linde is to have an appointment. And it was I who pleaded her cause, -Mr. Krogstad, let me tell you that. - -KROGSTAD. -I was right in what I thought, then. - -NORA. -_[walking up and down the stage]_. Sometimes one has a tiny little bit -of influence, I should hope. Because one is a woman, it does not -necessarily follow that—. When anyone is in a subordinate position, Mr. -Krogstad, they should really be careful to avoid offending anyone -who—who— - -KROGSTAD. -Who has influence? - -NORA. -Exactly. - -KROGSTAD. -_[changing his tone]_. Mrs Helmer, you will be so good as to use your -influence on my behalf. - -NORA. -What? What do you mean? - -KROGSTAD. -You will be so kind as to see that I am allowed to keep my subordinate -position in the Bank. - -NORA. -What do you mean by that? Who proposes to take your post away from you? - -KROGSTAD. -Oh, there is no necessity to keep up the pretence of ignorance. I can -quite understand that your friend is not very anxious to expose herself -to the chance of rubbing shoulders with me; and I quite understand, -too, whom I have to thank for being turned off. - -NORA. -But I assure you— - -KROGSTAD. -Very likely; but, to come to the point, the time has come when I should -advise you to use your influence to prevent that. - -NORA. -But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence. - -KROGSTAD. -Haven’t you? I thought you said yourself just now— - -NORA. -Naturally I did not mean you to put that construction on it. I! What -should make you think I have any influence of that kind with my -husband? - -KROGSTAD. -Oh, I have known your husband from our student days. I don’t suppose he -is any more unassailable than other husbands. - -NORA. -If you speak slightingly of my husband, I shall turn you out of the -house. - -KROGSTAD. -You are bold, Mrs Helmer. - -NORA. -I am not afraid of you any longer. As soon as the New Year comes, I -shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing. - -KROGSTAD. -_[controlling himself]_. Listen to me, Mrs Helmer. If necessary, I am -prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fighting -for my life. - -NORA. -So it seems. - -KROGSTAD. -It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that weighs least -with me in the matter. There is another reason—well, I may as well tell -you. My position is this. I daresay you know, like everybody else, that -once, many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion. - -NORA. -I think I have heard something of the kind. - -KROGSTAD. -The matter never came into court; but every way seemed to be closed to -me after that. So I took to the business that you know of. I had to do -something; and, honestly, I don’t think I’ve been one of the worst. But -now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing up; for -their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in the -town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me—and now -your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud. - -NORA. -But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to help -you at all. - -KROGSTAD. -Then it is because you haven’t the will; but I have means to compel -you. - -NORA. -You don’t mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you money? - -KROGSTAD. -Hm!—suppose I were to tell him? - -NORA. -It would be perfectly infamous of you. _[Sobbing.]_ To think of his -learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an ugly, -clumsy way—that he should learn it from you! And it would put me in a -horribly disagreeable position— - -KROGSTAD. -Only disagreeable? - -NORA. -_[impetuously]_. Well, do it, then!—and it will be the worse for you. -My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and you -certainly won’t keep your post then. - -KROGSTAD. -I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that you were -afraid of? - -NORA. -If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once pay you -what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with you. - -KROGSTAD. -_[coming a step nearer]_. Listen to me, Mrs Helmer. Either you have a -very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall be obliged -to remind you of a few details. - -NORA. -What do you mean? - -KROGSTAD. -When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow two hundred and -fifty pounds. - -NORA. -I didn’t know anyone else to go to. - -KROGSTAD. -I promised to get you that amount— - -NORA. -Yes, and you did so. - -KROGSTAD. -I promised to get you that amount, on certain conditions. Your mind was -so taken up with your husband’s illness, and you were so anxious to get -the money for your journey, that you seem to have paid no attention to -the conditions of our bargain. Therefore it will not be amiss if I -remind you of them. Now, I promised to get the money on the security of -a bond which I drew up. - -NORA. -Yes, and which I signed. - -KROGSTAD. -Good. But below your signature there were a few lines constituting your -father a surety for the money; those lines your father should have -signed. - -NORA. -Should? He did sign them. - -KROGSTAD. -I had left the date blank; that is to say, your father should himself -have inserted the date on which he signed the paper. Do you remember -that? - -NORA. -Yes, I think I remember— - -KROGSTAD. -Then I gave you the bond to send by post to your father. Is that not -so? - -NORA. -Yes. - -KROGSTAD. -And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days afterwards -you brought me the bond with your father’s signature. And then I gave -you the money. - -NORA. -Well, haven’t I been paying it off regularly? - -KROGSTAD. -Fairly so, yes. But—to come back to the matter in hand—that must have -been a very trying time for you, Mrs Helmer? - -NORA. -It was, indeed. - -KROGSTAD. -Your father was very ill, wasn’t he? - -NORA. -He was very near his end. - -KROGSTAD. -And died soon afterwards? - -NORA. -Yes. - -KROGSTAD. -Tell me, Mrs Helmer, can you by any chance remember what day your -father died?—on what day of the month, I mean. - -NORA. -Papa died on the 29th of September. - -KROGSTAD. -That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And, as that is so, -there is a discrepancy _[taking a paper from his pocket]_ which I -cannot account for. - -NORA. -What discrepancy? I don’t know— - -KROGSTAD. -The discrepancy consists, Mrs Helmer, in the fact that your father -signed this bond three days after his death. - -NORA. -What do you mean? I don’t understand— - -KROGSTAD. -Your father died on the 29th of September. But, look here; your father -has dated his signature the 2nd of October. It is a discrepancy, isn’t -it? _[NORA is silent.]_ Can you explain it to me? _[NORA is still -silent.]_ It is a remarkable thing, too, that the words “2nd of -October,” as well as the year, are not written in your father’s -handwriting but in one that I think I know. Well, of course it can be -explained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and -someone else may have dated it haphazard before they knew of his death. -There is no harm in that. It all depends on the signature of the name; -and that is genuine, I suppose, Mrs Helmer? It was your father himself -who signed his name here? - -NORA. -_[after a short pause, throws her head up and looks defiantly at him]_. -No, it was not. It was I that wrote papa’s name. - -KROGSTAD. -Are you aware that is a dangerous confession? - -NORA. -In what way? You shall have your money soon. - -KROGSTAD. -Let me ask you a question; why did you not send the paper to your -father? - -NORA. -It was impossible; papa was so ill. If I had asked him for his -signature, I should have had to tell him what the money was to be used -for; and when he was so ill himself I couldn’t tell him that my -husband’s life was in danger—it was impossible. - -KROGSTAD. -It would have been better for you if you had given up your trip abroad. - -NORA. -No, that was impossible. That trip was to save my husband’s life; I -couldn’t give that up. - -KROGSTAD. -But did it never occur to you that you were committing a fraud on me? - -NORA. -I couldn’t take that into account; I didn’t trouble myself about you at -all. I couldn’t bear you, because you put so many heartless -difficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerous condition my -husband was in. - -KROGSTAD. -Mrs Helmer, you evidently do not realise clearly what it is that you -have been guilty of. But I can assure you that my one false step, which -lost me all my reputation, was nothing more or nothing worse than what -you have done. - -NORA. -You? Do you ask me to believe that you were brave enough to run a risk -to save your wife’s life? - -KROGSTAD. -The law cares nothing about motives. - -NORA. -Then it must be a very foolish law. - -KROGSTAD. -Foolish or not, it is the law by which you will be judged, if I produce -this paper in court. - -NORA. -I don’t believe it. Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dying -father anxiety and care? Is a wife not to be allowed to save her -husband’s life? I don’t know much about law; but I am certain that -there must be laws permitting such things as that. Have you no -knowledge of such laws—you who are a lawyer? You must be a very poor -lawyer, Mr. Krogstad. - -KROGSTAD. -Maybe. But matters of business—such business as you and I have had -together—do you think I don’t understand that? Very well. Do as you -please. But let me tell you this—if I lose my position a second time, -you shall lose yours with me. _[He bows, and goes out through the -hall.]_ - -NORA. -_[appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her head]_. -Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that!—I am not so silly as he -thinks. _[Begins to busy herself putting the children’s things in -order.]_ And yet—? No, it’s impossible! I did it for love’s sake. - -THE CHILDREN. -_[in the doorway on the left]_. Mother, the stranger man has gone out -through the gate. - -NORA. -Yes, dears, I know. But, don’t tell anyone about the stranger man. Do -you hear? Not even papa. - -CHILDREN. -No, mother; but will you come and play again? - -NORA. -No, no,—not now. - -CHILDREN. -But, mother, you promised us. - -NORA. -Yes, but I can’t now. Run away in; I have such a lot to do. Run away -in, my sweet little darlings. _[She gets them into the room by degrees -and shuts the door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a -piece of needlework and sews a few stitches, but soon stops.]_ No! -_[Throws down the work, gets up, goes to the hall door and calls out.]_ -Helen! bring the Tree in. _[Goes to the table on the left, opens a -drawer, and stops again.]_ No, no! it is quite impossible! - -MAID. -_[coming in with the Tree]_. Where shall I put it, ma’am? - -NORA. -Here, in the middle of the floor. - -MAID. -Shall I get you anything else? - -NORA. -No, thank you. I have all I want. [Exit MAID.] - -NORA. -_[begins dressing the tree]_. A candle here-and flowers here—The -horrible man! It’s all nonsense—there’s nothing wrong. The tree shall -be splendid! I will do everything I can think of to please you, -Torvald!—I will sing for you, dance for you—_[HELMER comes in with some -papers under his arm.]_ Oh! are you back already? - -HELMER. -Yes. Has anyone been here? - -NORA. -Here? No. - -HELMER. -That is strange. I saw Krogstad going out of the gate. - -NORA. -Did you? Oh yes, I forgot, Krogstad was here for a moment. - -HELMER. -Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been here begging you to -say a good word for him. - -NORA. -Yes. - -HELMER. -And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were to conceal -from me the fact of his having been here; didn’t he beg that of you -too? - -NORA. -Yes, Torvald, but— - -HELMER. -Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort of thing? To have any -talk with a man like that, and give him any sort of promise? And to -tell me a lie into the bargain? - -NORA. -A lie—? - -HELMER. -Didn’t you tell me no one had been here? _[Shakes his finger at her.]_ -My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird must have a -clean beak to chirp with—no false notes! _[Puts his arm round her -waist.]_ That is so, isn’t it? Yes, I am sure it is. _[Lets her go.]_ -We will say no more about it. _[Sits down by the stove.]_ How warm and -snug it is here! _[Turns over his papers.]_ - -NORA. -_[after a short pause, during which she busies herself with the -Christmas Tree.]_ Torvald! - -HELMER. -Yes. - -NORA. -I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy-dress ball at the -Stenborgs’ the day after tomorrow. - -HELMER. -And I am tremendously curious to see what you are going to surprise me -with. - -NORA. -It was very silly of me to want to do that. - -HELMER. -What do you mean? - -NORA. -I can’t hit upon anything that will do; everything I think of seems so -silly and insignificant. - -HELMER. -Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last? - -NORA. -_[standing behind his chair with her arms on the back of it]_. Are you -very busy, Torvald? - -HELMER. -Well— - -NORA. -What are all those papers? - -HELMER. -Bank business. - -NORA. -Already? - -HELMER. -I have got authority from the retiring manager to undertake the -necessary changes in the staff and in the rearrangement of the work; -and I must make use of the Christmas week for that, so as to have -everything in order for the new year. - -NORA. -Then that was why this poor Krogstad— - -HELMER. -Hm! - -NORA. -_[leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair]_. If you -hadn’t been so busy I should have asked you a tremendously big favour, -Torvald. - -HELMER. -What is that? Tell me. - -NORA. -There is no one has such good taste as you. And I do so want to look -nice at the fancy-dress ball. Torvald, couldn’t you take me in hand and -decide what I shall go as, and what sort of a dress I shall wear? - -HELMER. -Aha! so my obstinate little woman is obliged to get someone to come to -her rescue? - -NORA. -Yes, Torvald, I can’t get along a bit without your help. - -HELMER. -Very well, I will think it over, we shall manage to hit upon something. - -NORA. -That is nice of you. _[Goes to the Christmas Tree. A short pause.]_ How -pretty the red flowers look—. But, tell me, was it really something -very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of? - -HELMER. -He forged someone’s name. Have you any idea what that means? - -NORA. -Isn’t it possible that he was driven to do it by necessity? - -HELMER. -Yes; or, as in so many cases, by imprudence. I am not so heartless as -to condemn a man altogether because of a single false step of that -kind. - -NORA. -No, you wouldn’t, would you, Torvald? - -HELMER. -Many a man has been able to retrieve his character, if he has openly -confessed his fault and taken his punishment. - -NORA. -Punishment—? - -HELMER. -But Krogstad did nothing of that sort; he got himself out of it by a -cunning trick, and that is why he has gone under altogether. - -NORA. -But do you think it would—? - -HELMER. -Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and play the hypocrite -with every one, how he has to wear a mask in the presence of those near -and dear to him, even before his own wife and children. And about the -children—that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora. - -NORA. -How? - -HELMER. -Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life -of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of the -germs of evil. - -NORA. -_[coming nearer him]_. Are you sure of that? - -HELMER. -My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life as a lawyer. -Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a -deceitful mother. - -NORA. -Why do you only say—mother? - -HELMER. -It seems most commonly to be the mother’s influence, though naturally a -bad father’s would have the same result. Every lawyer is familiar with -the fact. This Krogstad, now, has been persistently poisoning his own -children with lies and dissimulation; that is why I say he has lost all -moral character. _[Holds out his hands to her.]_ That is why my sweet -little Nora must promise me not to plead his cause. Give me your hand -on it. Come, come, what is this? Give me your hand. There now, that’s -settled. I assure you it would be quite impossible for me to work with -him; I literally feel physically ill when I am in the company of such -people. - -NORA. -_[takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side of the -Christmas Tree]_. How hot it is in here; and I have such a lot to do. - -HELMER. -_[getting up and putting his papers in order]_. Yes, and I must try and -read through some of these before dinner; and I must think about your -costume, too. And it is just possible I may have something ready in -gold paper to hang up on the Tree. _[Puts his hand on her head.]_ My -precious little singing-bird! _[He goes into his room and shuts the -door after him.]_ - -NORA. -_[after a pause, whispers]_. No, no—it isn’t true. It’s impossible; it -must be impossible. - -_[The NURSE opens the door on the left.]_ - -NURSE. -The little ones are begging so hard to be allowed to come in to mamma. - -NORA. -No, no, no! Don’t let them come in to me! You stay with them, Anne. - -NURSE. -Very well, ma’am. _[Shuts the door.]_ - -NORA. -_[pale with terror]_. Deprave my little children? Poison my home? _[A -short pause. Then she tosses her head.]_ It’s not true. It can’t -possibly be true. - - - - -ACT II - - -_[THE SAME SCENE.—THE Christmas Tree is in the corner by the piano, -stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-ends on its -dishevelled branches. NORA’S cloak and hat are lying on the sofa. She -is alone in the room, walking about uneasily. She stops by the sofa and -takes up her cloak.]_ - -NORA. -_[drops her cloak]_. Someone is coming now! _[Goes to the door and -listens.]_ No—it is no one. Of course, no one will come today, -Christmas Day—nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps—_[opens the door and -looks out]_. No, nothing in the letterbox; it is quite empty. _[Comes -forward.]_ What rubbish! of course he can’t be in earnest about it. -Such a thing couldn’t happen; it is impossible—I have three little -children. - -_[Enter the NURSE from the room on the left, carrying a big cardboard -box.]_ - -NURSE. -At last I have found the box with the fancy dress. - -NORA. -Thanks; put it on the table. - -NURSE. -_[doing so]_. But it is very much in want of mending. - -NORA. -I should like to tear it into a hundred thousand pieces. - -NURSE. -What an idea! It can easily be put in order—just a little patience. - -NORA. -Yes, I will go and get Mrs Linde to come and help me with it. - -NURSE. -What, out again? In this horrible weather? You will catch cold, ma’am, -and make yourself ill. - -NORA. -Well, worse than that might happen. How are the children? - -NURSE. -The poor little souls are playing with their Christmas presents, but— - -NORA. -Do they ask much for me? - -NURSE. -You see, they are so accustomed to have their mamma with them. - -NORA. -Yes, but, nurse, I shall not be able to be so much with them now as I -was before. - -NURSE. -Oh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything. - -NORA. -Do you think so? Do you think they would forget their mother if she -went away altogether? - -NURSE. -Good heavens!—went away altogether? - -NORA. -Nurse, I want you to tell me something I have often wondered about—how -could you have the heart to put your own child out among strangers? - -NURSE. -I was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora’s nurse. - -NORA. -Yes, but how could you be willing to do it? - -NURSE. -What, when I was going to get such a good place by it? A poor girl who -has got into trouble should be glad to. Besides, that wicked man didn’t -do a single thing for me. - -NORA. -But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten you. - -NURSE. -No, indeed she hasn’t. She wrote to me when she was confirmed, and when -she was married. - -NORA. -_[putting her arms round her neck]_. Dear old Anne, you were a good -mother to me when I was little. - -NURSE. -Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me. - -NORA. -And if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would—What -nonsense I am talking! _[Opens the box.]_ Go in to them. Now I must—. -You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look. - -NURSE. -I am sure there will be no one at the ball so charming as you, ma’am. -_[Goes into the room on the left.]_ - -NORA. -_[begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from her]_. If only -I dared go out. If only no one would come. If only I could be sure -nothing would happen here in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense! No one -will come. Only I mustn’t think about it. I will brush my muff. What -lovely, lovely gloves! Out of my thoughts, out of my thoughts! One, -two, three, four, five, six— _[Screams.]_ Ah! there is someone coming—. -_[Makes a movement towards the door, but stands irresolute.]_ - -_[Enter Mrs Linde from the hall, where she has taken off her cloak and -hat.]_ - -NORA. -Oh, it’s you, Christine. There is no one else out there, is there? How -good of you to come! - -MRS LINDE. -I heard you were up asking for me. - -NORA. -Yes, I was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is something you could -help me with. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Look here. Tomorrow -evening there is to be a fancy-dress ball at the Stenborgs’, who live -above us; and Torvald wants me to go as a Neapolitan fisher-girl, and -dance the Tarantella that I learned at Capri. - -MRS LINDE. -I see; you are going to keep up the character. - -NORA. -Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald had it made -for me there, but now it is all so torn, and I haven’t any idea— - -MRS LINDE. -We will easily put that right. It is only some of the trimming come -unsewn here and there. Needle and thread? Now then, that’s all we want. - -NORA. -It is nice of you. - -MRS LINDE. -_[sewing]_. So you are going to be dressed up tomorrow Nora. I will -tell you what—I shall come in for a moment and see you in your fine -feathers. But I have completely forgotten to thank you for a delightful -evening yesterday. - -NORA. -_[gets up, and crosses the stage]_. Well, I don’t think yesterday was -as pleasant as usual. You ought to have come to town a little earlier, -Christine. Certainly Torvald does understand how to make a house dainty -and attractive. - -MRS LINDE. -And so do you, it seems to me; you are not your father’s daughter for -nothing. But tell me, is Doctor Rank always as depressed as he was -yesterday? - -NORA. -No; yesterday it was very noticeable. I must tell you that he suffers -from a very dangerous disease. He has consumption of the spine, poor -creature. His father was a horrible man who committed all sorts of -excesses; and that is why his son was sickly from childhood, do you -understand? - -MRS LINDE. -_[dropping her sewing]_. But, my dearest Nora, how do you know anything -about such things? - -NORA. -_[walking about]_. Pooh! When you have three children, you get visits -now and then from—from married women, who know something of medical -matters, and they talk about one thing and another. - -MRS LINDE. -_[goes on sewing. A short silence]_. Does Doctor Rank come here -everyday? - -NORA. -Everyday regularly. He is Torvald’s most intimate friend, and a great -friend of mine too. He is just like one of the family. - -MRS LINDE. -But tell me this—is he perfectly sincere? I mean, isn’t he the kind of -man that is very anxious to make himself agreeable? - -NORA. -Not in the least. What makes you think that? - -MRS LINDE. -When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared he had often heard -my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your -husband hadn’t the slightest idea who I was. So how could Doctor Rank—? - -NORA. -That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fond of me that -he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem -almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folk at home, so -naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk about such things with -Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them. - -MRS LINDE. -Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and -I am older than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let -me tell you this—you ought to make an end of it with Doctor Rank. - -NORA. -What ought I to make an end of? - -MRS LINDE. -Of two things, I think. Yesterday you talked some nonsense about a rich -admirer who was to leave you money— - -NORA. -An admirer who doesn’t exist, unfortunately! But what then? - -MRS LINDE. -Is Doctor Rank a man of means? - -NORA. -Yes, he is. - -MRS LINDE. -And has no one to provide for? - -NORA. -No, no one; but— - -MRS LINDE. -And comes here everyday? - -NORA. -Yes, I told you so. - -MRS LINDE. -But how can this well-bred man be so tactless? - -NORA. -I don’t understand you at all. - -MRS LINDE. -Don’t prevaricate, Nora. Do you suppose I don’t guess who lent you the -two hundred and fifty pounds? - -NORA. -Are you out of your senses? How can you think of such a thing! A friend -of ours, who comes here everyday! Do you realise what a horribly -painful position that would be? - -MRS LINDE. -Then it really isn’t he? - -NORA. -No, certainly not. It would never have entered into my head for a -moment. Besides, he had no money to lend then; he came into his money -afterwards. - -MRS LINDE. -Well, I think that was lucky for you, my dear Nora. - -NORA. -No, it would never have come into my head to ask Doctor Rank. Although -I am quite sure that if I had asked him— - -MRS LINDE. -But of course you won’t. - -NORA. -Of course not. I have no reason to think it could possibly be -necessary. But I am quite sure that if I told Doctor Rank— - -MRS LINDE. -Behind your husband’s back? - -NORA. -I must make an end of it with the other one, and that will be behind -his back too. I must make an end of it with him. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, that is what I told you yesterday, but— - -NORA. -_[walking up and down]_. A man can put a thing like that straight much -easier than a woman— - -MRS LINDE. -One’s husband, yes. - -NORA. -Nonsense! _[Standing still.]_ When you pay off a debt you get your bond -back, don’t you? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, as a matter of course. - -NORA. -And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up—the -nasty dirty paper! - -MRS LINDE. -_[looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly]_. Nora, -you are concealing something from me. - -NORA. -Do I look as if I were? - -MRS LINDE. -Something has happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, what is -it? - -NORA. -_[going nearer to her]_. Christine! _[Listens.]_ Hush! there’s Torvald -come home. Do you mind going in to the children for the present? -Torvald can’t bear to see dressmaking going on. Let Anne help you. - -MRS LINDE. -_[gathering some of the things together]_. Certainly—but I am not going -away from here until we have had it out with one another. _[She goes -into the room on the left, as HELMER comes in from the hall.]_ - -NORA. -_[going up to HELMER]_. I have wanted you so much, Torvald dear. - -HELMER. -Was that the dressmaker? - -NORA. -No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress in order. You -will see I shall look quite smart. - -HELMER. -Wasn’t that a happy thought of mine, now? - -NORA. -Splendid! But don’t you think it is nice of me, too, to do as you wish? - -HELMER. -Nice?—because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little -rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. But I am not going to -disturb you; you will want to be trying on your dress, I expect. - -NORA. -I suppose you are going to work. - -HELMER. -Yes. _[Shows her a bundle of papers.]_ Look at that. I have just been -into the bank. _[Turns to go into his room.]_ - -NORA. -Torvald. - -HELMER. -Yes. - -NORA. -If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very -prettily—? - -HELMER. -What then? - -NORA. -Would you do it? - -HELMER. -I should like to hear what it is, first. - -NORA. -Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be -nice, and do what she wants. - -HELMER. -Speak plainly. - -NORA. -Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and -falling— - -HELMER. -Well, my skylark does that anyhow. - -NORA. -I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald. - -HELMER. -Nora—you surely don’t mean that request you made to me this morning? - -NORA. -_[going near him]_. Yes, Torvald, I beg you so earnestly— - -HELMER. -Have you really the courage to open up that question again? - -NORA. -Yes, dear, you must do as I ask; you must let Krogstad keep his post in -the bank. - -HELMER. -My dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs Linde shall have. - -NORA. -Yes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you could just as well -dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad. - -HELMER. -This is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose to give him a -thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I am expected to— - -NORA. -That isn’t the reason, Torvald. It is for your own sake. This fellow -writes in the most scurrilous newspapers; you have told me so yourself. -He can do you an unspeakable amount of harm. I am frightened to death -of him— - -HELMER. -Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past that scare you. - -NORA. -What do you mean? - -HELMER. -Naturally you are thinking of your father. - -NORA. -Yes—yes, of course. Just recall to your mind what these malicious -creatures wrote in the papers about papa, and how horribly they -slandered him. I believe they would have procured his dismissal if the -Department had not sent you over to inquire into it, and if you had not -been so kindly disposed and helpful to him. - -HELMER. -My little Nora, there is an important difference between your father -and me. Your father’s reputation as a public official was not above -suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it will continue to be so, as long as I -hold my office. - -NORA. -You never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. We ought to be -so well off, so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no -cares—you and I and the children, Torvald! That is why I beg you so -earnestly— - -HELMER. -And it is just by interceding for him that you make it impossible for -me to keep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss -Krogstad. Is it to get about now that the new manager has changed his -mind at his wife’s bidding— - -NORA. -And what if it did? - -HELMER. -Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you -suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to -let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside -influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell -you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for -me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager. - -NORA. -Whatever is that? - -HELMER. -His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary— - -NORA. -Yes, you could—couldn’t you? - -HELMER. -And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. -It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in -afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very -intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no -restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he -thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and -every minute it is “I say, Helmer, old fellow!” and that sort of thing. -I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position -in the Bank intolerable. - -NORA. -Torvald, I don’t believe you mean that. - -HELMER. -Don’t you? Why not? - -NORA. -Because it is such a narrow-minded way of looking at things. - -HELMER. -What are you saying? Narrow-minded? Do you think I am narrow-minded? - -NORA. -No, just the opposite, dear—and it is exactly for that reason. - -HELMER. -It’s the same thing. You say my point of view is narrow-minded, so I -must be so too. Narrow-minded! Very well—I must put an end to this. -_[Goes to the hall door and calls.]_ Helen! - -NORA. -What are you going to do? - -HELMER. -_[looking among his papers]_. Settle it. _[Enter MAID.]_ Look here; -take this letter and go downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger -and tell him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is on it, and -here is the money. - -MAID. -Very well, sir. _[Exit with the letter.]_ - -HELMER. -_[putting his papers together]_. Now then, little Miss Obstinate. - -NORA. -_[breathlessly]_. Torvald—what was that letter? - -HELMER. -Krogstad’s dismissal. - -NORA. -Call her back, Torvald! There is still time. Oh Torvald, call her back! -Do it for my sake—for your own sake—for the children’s sake! Do you -hear me, Torvald? Call her back! You don’t know what that letter can -bring upon us. - -HELMER. -It’s too late. - -NORA. -Yes, it’s too late. - -HELMER. -My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it -is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn’t it an insult to think that I -should be afraid of a starving quill-driver’s vengeance? But I forgive -you nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your great -love for me. _[Takes her in his arms.]_ And that is as it should be, my -own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both -courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to -take everything upon myself. - -NORA. -_[in a horror-stricken voice]_. What do you mean by that? - -HELMER. -Everything, I say— - -NORA. -_[recovering herself]_. You will never have to do that. - -HELMER. -That’s right. Well, we will share it, Nora, as man and wife should. -That is how it shall be. _[Caressing her.]_ Are you content now? There! -There!—not these frightened dove’s eyes! The whole thing is only the -wildest fancy!—Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella and -practise with your tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and -shut the door, and I shall hear nothing; you can make as much noise as -you please. _[Turns back at the door.]_ And when Rank comes, tell him -where he will find me. _[Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into -his room, and shuts the door after him.]_ - -NORA. -_[bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, and -whispers]_. He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it in -spite of everything.—No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather than -that! Oh, for some help, some way out of it! _[The door-bell rings.]_ -Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that—anything, whatever it is! _[She -puts her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door -and opens it. RANK is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the -following dialogue it begins to grow dark.]_ - -NORA. -Good day, Doctor Rank. I knew your ring. But you mustn’t go in to -Torvald now; I think he is busy with something. - -RANK. -And you? - -NORA. -_[brings him in and shuts the door after him]_. Oh, you know very well -I always have time for you. - -RANK. -Thank you. I shall make use of as much of it as I can. - -NORA. -What do you mean by that? As much of it as you can? - -RANK. -Well, does that alarm you? - -NORA. -It was such a strange way of putting it. Is anything likely to happen? - -RANK. -Nothing but what I have long been prepared for. But I certainly didn’t -expect it to happen so soon. - -NORA. -_[gripping him by the arm]_. What have you found out? Doctor Rank, you -must tell me. - -RANK. -_[sitting down by the stove]_. It is all up with me. And it can’t be -helped. - -NORA. -_[with a sigh of relief]_. Is it about yourself? - -RANK. -Who else? It is no use lying to one’s self. I am the most wretched of -all my patients, Mrs Helmer. Lately I have been taking stock of my -internal economy. Bankrupt! Probably within a month I shall lie rotting -in the churchyard. - -NORA. -What an ugly thing to say! - -RANK. -The thing itself is cursedly ugly, and the worst of it is that I shall -have to face so much more that is ugly before that. I shall only make -one more examination of myself; when I have done that, I shall know -pretty certainly when it will be that the horrors of dissolution will -begin. There is something I want to tell you. Helmer’s refined nature -gives him an unconquerable disgust at everything that is ugly; I won’t -have him in my sick-room. - -NORA. -Oh, but, Doctor Rank— - -RANK. -I won’t have him there. Not on any account. I bar my door to him. As -soon as I am quite certain that the worst has come, I shall send you my -card with a black cross on it, and then you will know that the -loathsome end has begun. - -NORA. -You are quite absurd today. And I wanted you so much to be in a really -good humour. - -RANK. -With death stalking beside me?—To have to pay this penalty for another -man’s sin? Is there any justice in that? And in every single family, in -one way or another, some such inexorable retribution is being exacted— - -NORA. -_[putting her hands over her ears]_. Rubbish! Do talk of something -cheerful. - -RANK. -Oh, it’s a mere laughing matter, the whole thing. My poor innocent -spine has to suffer for my father’s youthful amusements. - -NORA. -_[sitting at the table on the left]_. I suppose you mean that he was -too partial to asparagus and pate de foie gras, don’t you? - -RANK. -Yes, and to truffles. - -NORA. -Truffles, yes. And oysters too, I suppose? - -RANK. -Oysters, of course, that goes without saying. - -NORA. -And heaps of port and champagne. It is sad that all these nice things -should take their revenge on our bones. - -RANK. -Especially that they should revenge themselves on the unlucky bones of -those who have not had the satisfaction of enjoying them. - -NORA. -Yes, that’s the saddest part of it all. - -RANK. -_[with a searching look at her]_. Hm!— - -NORA. -_[after a short pause]_. Why did you smile? - -RANK. -No, it was you that laughed. - -NORA. -No, it was you that smiled, Doctor Rank! - -RANK. -_[rising]_. You are a greater rascal than I thought. - -NORA. -I am in a silly mood today. - -RANK. -So it seems. - -NORA. -_[putting her hands on his shoulders]_. Dear, dear Doctor Rank, death -mustn’t take you away from Torvald and me. - -RANK. -It is a loss you would easily recover from. Those who are gone are soon -forgotten. - -NORA. -_[looking at him anxiously]_. Do you believe that? - -RANK. -People form new ties, and then— - -NORA. -Who will form new ties? - -RANK. -Both you and Helmer, when I am gone. You yourself are already on the -high road to it, I think. What did that Mrs Linde want here last night? - -NORA. -Oho!—you don’t mean to say you are jealous of poor Christine? - -RANK. -Yes, I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I am done for, -this woman will— - -NORA. -Hush! don’t speak so loud. She is in that room. - -RANK. -Today again. There, you see. - -NORA. -She has only come to sew my dress for me. Bless my soul, how -unreasonable you are! _[Sits down on the sofa.]_ Be nice now, Doctor -Rank, and tomorrow you will see how beautifully I shall dance, and you -can imagine I am doing it all for you—and for Torvald too, of course. -_[Takes various things out of the box.]_ Doctor Rank, come and sit down -here, and I will show you something. - -RANK. -_[sitting down]_. What is it? - -NORA. -Just look at those! - -RANK. -Silk stockings. - -NORA. -Flesh-coloured. Aren’t they lovely? It is so dark here now, but -tomorrow—. No, no, no! you must only look at the feet. Oh well, you may -have leave to look at the legs too. - -RANK. -Hm!— - -NORA. -Why are you looking so critical? Don’t you think they will fit me? - -RANK. -I have no means of forming an opinion about that. - -NORA. -_[looks at him for a moment]_. For shame! _[Hits him lightly on the ear -with the stockings.]_ That’s to punish you. _[Folds them up again.]_ - -RANK. -And what other nice things am I to be allowed to see? - -NORA. -Not a single thing more, for being so naughty. _[She looks among the -things, humming to herself.]_ - -RANK. -_[after a short silence]_. When I am sitting here, talking to you as -intimately as this, I cannot imagine for a moment what would have -become of me if I had never come into this house. - -NORA. -_[smiling]_. I believe you do feel thoroughly at home with us. - -RANK. -_[in a lower voice, looking straight in front of him]_. And to be -obliged to leave it all— - -NORA. -Nonsense, you are not going to leave it. - -RANK. -_[as before]_. And not be able to leave behind one the slightest token -of one’s gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret—nothing but an -empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other. - -NORA. -And if I asked you now for a—? No! - -RANK. -For what? - -NORA. -For a big proof of your friendship— - -RANK. -Yes, yes! - -NORA. -I mean a tremendously big favour— - -RANK. -Would you really make me so happy for once? - -NORA. -Ah, but you don’t know what it is yet. - -RANK. -No—but tell me. - -NORA. -I really can’t, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it -means advice, and help, and a favour— - -RANK. -The bigger a thing it is the better. I can’t conceive what it is you -mean. Do tell me. Haven’t I your confidence? - -NORA. -More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so -I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must -help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply -Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life -for me. - -RANK. -_[leaning towards her]_. Nora—do you think he is the only one—? - -NORA. -_[with a slight start]_. The only one—? - -RANK. -The only one who would gladly give his life for your sake. - -NORA. -_[sadly]_. Is that it? - -RANK. -I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will -never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now -you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else. - -NORA. -_[rises, deliberately and quietly]_. Let me pass. - -RANK. -_[makes room for her to pass him, but sits still]_. Nora! - -NORA. -_[at the hall door]_. Helen, bring in the lamp. _[Goes over to the -stove.]_ Dear Doctor Rank, that was really horrid of you. - -RANK. -To have loved you as much as anyone else does? Was that horrid? - -NORA. -No, but to go and tell me so. There was really no need— - -RANK. -What do you mean? Did you know—? _[MAID enters with lamp, puts it down -on the table, and goes out.]_ Nora—Mrs Helmer—tell me, had you any idea -of this? - -NORA. -Oh, how do I know whether I had or whether I hadn’t? I really can’t -tell you—To think you could be so clumsy, Doctor Rank! We were getting -on so nicely. - -RANK. -Well, at all events you know now that you can command me, body and -soul. So won’t you speak out? - -NORA. -_[looking at him]_. After what happened? - -RANK. -I beg you to let me know what it is. - -NORA. -I can’t tell you anything now. - -RANK. -Yes, yes. You mustn’t punish me in that way. Let me have permission to -do for you whatever a man may do. - -NORA. -You can do nothing for me now. Besides, I really don’t need any help at -all. You will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. It -really is so—of course it is! _[Sits down in the rocking-chair, and -looks at him with a smile.]_ You are a nice sort of man, Doctor -Rank!—don’t you feel ashamed of yourself, now the lamp has come? - -RANK. -Not a bit. But perhaps I had better go—for ever? - -NORA. -No, indeed, you shall not. Of course you must come here just as before. -You know very well Torvald can’t do without you. - -RANK. -Yes, but you? - -NORA. -Oh, I am always tremendously pleased when you come. - -RANK. -It is just that, that put me on the wrong track. You are a riddle to -me. I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company -as in Helmer’s. - -NORA. -Yes—you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom one -would almost always rather have as companions. - -RANK. -Yes, there is something in that. - -NORA. -When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always thought -it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids’ room, because -they never moralised at all, and talked to each other about such -entertaining things. - -RANK. -I see—it is their place I have taken. - -NORA. -_[jumping up and going to him]_. Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never -meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with -Torvald is a little like being with papa—_[Enter MAID from the hall.]_ - -MAID. -If you please, ma’am. _[Whispers and hands her a card.]_ - -NORA. -_[glancing at the card]_. Oh! _[Puts it in her pocket.]_ - -RANK. -Is there anything wrong? - -NORA. -No, no, not in the least. It is only something—it is my new dress— - -RANK. -What? Your dress is lying there. - -NORA. -Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn’t -know about it— - -RANK. -Oho! Then that was the great secret. - -NORA. -Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room. Keep him -as long as— - -RANK. -Make your mind easy; I won’t let him escape. - -_[Goes into HELMER’S room.]_ - -NORA. -_[to the MAID]_. And he is standing waiting in the kitchen? - -MAID. -Yes; he came up the back stairs. - -NORA. -But didn’t you tell him no one was in? - -MAID. -Yes, but it was no good. - -NORA. -He won’t go away? - -MAID. -No; he says he won’t until he has seen you, ma’am. - -NORA. -Well, let him come in—but quietly. Helen, you mustn’t say anything -about it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband. - -MAID. -Yes, ma’am, I quite understand. _[Exit.]_ - -NORA. -This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! -No, no, no, it can’t happen—it shan’t happen! _[She bolts the door of -HELMER’S room. The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts it -after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur cap.]_ - -NORA. -_[advancing towards him]_. Speak low—my husband is at home. - -KROGSTAD. -No matter about that. - -NORA. -What do you want of me? - -KROGSTAD. -An explanation of something. - -NORA. -Make haste then. What is it? - -KROGSTAD. -You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal. - -NORA. -I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could on -your side, but it was no good. - -KROGSTAD. -Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I can expose -you to, and yet he ventures— - -NORA. -How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort? - -KROGSTAD. -I didn’t suppose so at all. It would not be the least like our dear -Torvald Helmer to show so much courage— - -NORA. -Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please. - -KROGSTAD. -Certainly—all the respect he deserves. But since you have kept the -matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that you have a -little clearer idea, than you had yesterday, of what it actually is -that you have done? - -NORA. -More than you could ever teach me. - -KROGSTAD. -Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am. - -NORA. -What is it you want of me? - -KROGSTAD. -Only to see how you were, Mrs Helmer. I have been thinking about you -all day long. A mere cashier, a quill-driver, a—well, a man like -me—even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know. - -NORA. -Show it, then; think of my little children. - -KROGSTAD. -Have you and your husband thought of mine? But never mind about that. I -only wanted to tell you that you need not take this matter too -seriously. In the first place there will be no accusation made on my -part. - -NORA. -No, of course not; I was sure of that. - -KROGSTAD. -The whole thing can be arranged amicably; there is no reason why anyone -should know anything about it. It will remain a secret between us -three. - -NORA. -My husband must never get to know anything about it. - -KROGSTAD. -How will you be able to prevent it? Am I to understand that you can pay -the balance that is owing? - -NORA. -No, not just at present. - -KROGSTAD. -Or perhaps that you have some expedient for raising the money soon? - -NORA. -No expedient that I mean to make use of. - -KROGSTAD. -Well, in any case, it would have been of no use to you now. If you -stood there with ever so much money in your hand, I would never part -with your bond. - -NORA. -Tell me what purpose you mean to put it to. - -KROGSTAD. -I shall only preserve it—keep it in my possession. No one who is not -concerned in the matter shall have the slightest hint of it. So that if -the thought of it has driven you to any desperate resolution— - -NORA. -It has. - -KROGSTAD. -If you had it in your mind to run away from your home— - -NORA. -I had. - -KROGSTAD. -Or even something worse— - -NORA. -How could you know that? - -KROGSTAD. -Give up the idea. - -NORA. -How did you know I had thought of that? - -KROGSTAD. -Most of us think of that at first. I did, too—but I hadn’t the courage. - -NORA. -_[faintly]_. No more had I. - -KROGSTAD. -_[in a tone of relief]_. No, that’s it, isn’t it—you hadn’t the courage -either? - -NORA. -No, I haven’t—I haven’t. - -KROGSTAD. -Besides, it would have been a great piece of folly. Once the first -storm at home is over—. I have a letter for your husband in my pocket. - -NORA. -Telling him everything? - -KROGSTAD. -In as lenient a manner as I possibly could. - -NORA. -_[quickly]_. He mustn’t get the letter. Tear it up. I will find some -means of getting money. - -KROGSTAD. -Excuse me, Mrs Helmer, but I think I told you just now— - -NORA. -I am not speaking of what I owe you. Tell me what sum you are asking my -husband for, and I will get the money. - -KROGSTAD. -I am not asking your husband for a penny. - -NORA. -What do you want, then? - -KROGSTAD. -I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs Helmer; I want to -get on; and in that your husband must help me. For the last year and a -half I have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, amid all that -time I have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. I was -content to work my way up step by step. Now I am turned out, and I am -not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. I -want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bank again, in a -higher position. Your husband must make a place for me— - -NORA. -That he will never do! - -KROGSTAD. -He will; I know him; he dare not protest. And as soon as I am in there -again with him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be the -manager’s right hand. It will be Nils Krogstad and not Torvald Helmer -who manages the Bank. - -NORA. -That’s a thing you will never see! - -KROGSTAD. -Do you mean that you will—? - -NORA. -I have courage enough for it now. - -KROGSTAD. -Oh, you can’t frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you— - -NORA. -You will see, you will see. - -KROGSTAD. -Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-black water? And then, -in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and -unrecognisable, with your hair fallen out— - -NORA. -You can’t frighten me. - -KROGSTAD. -Nor you me. People don’t do such things, Mrs Helmer. Besides, what use -would it be? I should have him completely in my power all the same. - -NORA. -Afterwards? When I am no longer— - -KROGSTAD. -Have you forgotten that it is I who have the keeping of your -reputation? _[NORA stands speechlessly looking at him.]_ Well, now, I -have warned you. Do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had my -letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember -that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as -this again. I will never forgive him for that. Goodbye, Mrs Helmer. -_[Exit through the hall.]_ - -NORA. -_[goes to the hall door, opens it slightly and listens.]_ He is going. -He is not putting the letter in the box. Oh no, no! that’s impossible! -_[Opens the door by degrees.]_ What is that? He is standing outside. He -is not going downstairs. Is he hesitating? Can he—? _[A letter drops -into the box; then KROGSTAD’S footsteps are heard, until they die away -as he goes downstairs. NORA utters a stifled cry, and runs across the -room to the table by the sofa. A short pause.]_ - -NORA. -In the letter-box. _[Steals across to the hall door.]_ There it -lies—Torvald, Torvald, there is no hope for us now! - -_[Mrs Linde comes in from the room on the left, carrying the dress.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -There, I can’t see anything more to mend now. Would you like to try it -on—? - -NORA. -_[in a hoarse whisper]_. Christine, come here. - -MRS LINDE. -_[throwing the dress down on the sofa]_. What is the matter with you? -You look so agitated! - -NORA. -Come here. Do you see that letter? There, look—you can see it through -the glass in the letter-box. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, I see it. - -NORA. -That letter is from Krogstad. - -MRS LINDE. -Nora—it was Krogstad who lent you the money! - -NORA. -Yes, and now Torvald will know all about it. - -MRS LINDE. -Believe me, Nora, that’s the best thing for both of you. - -NORA. -You don’t know all. I forged a name. - -MRS LINDE. -Good heavens—! - -NORA. -I only want to say this to you, Christine—you must be my witness. - -MRS LINDE. -Your witness? What do you mean? What am I to—? - -NORA. -If I should go out of my mind—and it might easily happen— - -MRS LINDE. -Nora! - -NORA. -Or if anything else should happen to me—anything, for instance, that -might prevent my being here— - -MRS LINDE. -Nora! Nora! you are quite out of your mind. - -NORA. -And if it should happen that there were some one who wanted to take all -the responsibility, all the blame, you understand— - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, yes—but how can you suppose—? - -NORA. -Then you must be my witness, that it is not true, Christine. I am not -out of my mind at all; I am in my right senses now, and I tell you no -one else has known anything about it; I, and I alone, did the whole -thing. Remember that. - -MRS LINDE. -I will, indeed. But I don’t understand all this. - -NORA. -How should you understand it? A wonderful thing is going to happen! - -MRS LINDE. -A wonderful thing? - -NORA. -Yes, a wonderful thing!—But it is so terrible, Christine; it mustn’t -happen, not for all the world. - -MRS LINDE. -I will go at once and see Krogstad. - -NORA. -Don’t go to him; he will do you some harm. - -MRS LINDE. -There was a time when he would gladly do anything for my sake. - -NORA. -He? - -MRS LINDE. -Where does he live? - -NORA. -How should I know—? Yes _[feeling in her pocket]_, here is his card. -But the letter, the letter—! - -HELMER. -_[calls from his room, knocking at the door]_. Nora! - -NORA. -_[cries out anxiously]_. Oh, what’s that? What do you want? - -HELMER. -Don’t be so frightened. We are not coming in; you have locked the door. -Are you trying on your dress? - -NORA. -Yes, that’s it. I look so nice, Torvald. - -MRS LINDE. -_[who has read the card]_. I see he lives at the corner here. - -NORA. -Yes, but it’s no use. It is hopeless. The letter is lying there in the -box. - -MRS LINDE. -And your husband keeps the key? - -NORA. -Yes, always. - -MRS LINDE. -Krogstad must ask for his letter back unread, he must find some -pretence— - -NORA. -But it is just at this time that Torvald generally— - -MRS LINDE. -You must delay him. Go in to him in the meantime. I will come back as -soon as I can. _[She goes out hurriedly through the hall door.]_ - -NORA. -_[goes to HELMER’S door, opens it and peeps in]_. Torvald! - -HELMER. -_[from the inner room]_. Well? May I venture at last to come into my -own room again? Come along, Rank, now you will see— _[Halting in the -doorway.]_ But what is this? - -NORA. -What is what, dear? - -HELMER. -Rank led me to expect a splendid transformation. - -RANK. -_[in the doorway]_. I understood so, but evidently I was mistaken. - -NORA. -Yes, nobody is to have the chance of admiring me in my dress until -tomorrow. - -HELMER. -But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been practising too -much? - -NORA. -No, I have not practised at all. - -HELMER. -But you will need to— - -NORA. -Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But I can’t get on a bit without you to -help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing. - -HELMER. -Oh, we will soon work it up again. - -NORA. -Yes, help me, Torvald. Promise that you will! I am so nervous about -it—all the people—. You must give yourself up to me entirely this -evening. Not the tiniest bit of business—you mustn’t even take a pen in -your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear? - -HELMER. -I promise. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at your -service, you helpless little mortal. Ah, by the way, first of all I -will just— _[Goes towards the hall door.]_ - -NORA. -What are you going to do there? - -HELMER. -Only see if any letters have come. - -NORA. -No, no! don’t do that, Torvald! - -HELMER. -Why not? - -NORA. -Torvald, please don’t. There is nothing there. - -HELMER. -Well, let me look. _[Turns to go to the letter-box. NORA, at the piano, -plays the first bars of the Tarantella. HELMER stops in the doorway.]_ -Aha! - -NORA. -I can’t dance tomorrow if I don’t practise with you. - -HELMER. -_[going up to her]_. Are you really so afraid of it, dear? - -NORA. -Yes, so dreadfully afraid of it. Let me practise at once; there is time -now, before we go to dinner. Sit down and play for me, Torvald dear; -criticise me, and correct me as you play. - -HELMER. -With great pleasure, if you wish me to. _[Sits down at the piano.]_ - -NORA. -_[takes out of the box a tambourine and a long variegated shawl. She -hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of -the stage and calls out]_. Now play for me! I am going to dance! - -_[HELMER plays and NORA dances. RANK stands by the piano behind HELMER, -and looks on.]_ - -HELMER. -_[as he plays]_. Slower, slower! - -NORA. -I can’t do it any other way. - -HELMER. -Not so violently, Nora! - -NORA. -This is the way. - -HELMER. -_[stops playing]_. No, no—that is not a bit right. - -NORA. -_[laughing and swinging the tambourine]_. Didn’t I tell you so? - -RANK. -Let me play for her. - -HELMER. -_[getting up]_. Yes, do. I can correct her better then. - -_[RANK sits down at the piano and plays. NORA dances more and more -wildly. HELMER has taken up a position beside the stove, and during her -dance gives her frequent instructions. She does not seem to hear him; -her hair comes down and falls over her shoulders; she pays no attention -to it, but goes on dancing. Enter Mrs Linde.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -_[standing as if spell-bound in the doorway]_. Oh!— - -NORA. -_[as she dances]_. Such fun, Christine! - -HELMER. -My dear darling Nora, you are dancing as if your life depended on it. - -NORA. -So it does. - -HELMER. -Stop, Rank; this is sheer madness. Stop, I tell you! _[RANK stops -playing, and NORA suddenly stands still. HELMER goes up to her.]_ I -could never have believed it. You have forgotten everything I taught -you. - -NORA. -_[throwing away the tambourine]_. There, you see. - -HELMER. -You will want a lot of coaching. - -NORA. -Yes, you see how much I need it. You must coach me up to the last -minute. Promise me that, Torvald! - -HELMER. -You can depend on me. - -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; 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. - -KROGSTAD. -_[in the doorway]_. I found a note from you at home. What does this -mean? - -MRS LINDE. -It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you. - -KROGSTAD. -Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here? - -MRS LINDE. -It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my -rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers -are at the dance upstairs. - -KROGSTAD. -_[coming into the room]_. Are the Helmers really at a dance tonight? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, why not? - -KROGSTAD. -Certainly—why not? - -MRS LINDE. -Now, Nils, let us have a talk. - -KROGSTAD. -Can we two have anything to talk about? - -MRS LINDE. -We have a great deal to talk about. - -KROGSTAD. -I shouldn’t have thought so. - -MRS LINDE. -No, you have never properly understood me. - -KROGSTAD. -Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all -the world—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance -turns up? - -MRS LINDE. -Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you -believe that I did it with a light heart? - -KROGSTAD. -Didn’t you? - -MRS LINDE. -Nils, did you really think that? - -KROGSTAD. -If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time? - -MRS LINDE. -I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty -also to put an end to all that you felt for me. - -KROGSTAD. -_[wringing his hands]_. So that was it. And all this—only for the sake -of money! - -MRS LINDE. -You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little -brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed -hopeless then. - -KROGSTAD. -That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for anyone else’s -sake. - -MRS LINDE. -Indeed I don’t know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had the right to -do it. - -KROGSTAD. -_[more gently]_. When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground -went from under my feet. Look at me now—I am a shipwrecked man clinging -to a bit of wreckage. - -MRS LINDE. -But help may be near. - -KROGSTAD. -It was near; but then you came and stood in my way. - -MRS LINDE. -Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learned it was your -place I was going to take in the Bank. - -KROGSTAD. -I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are you not -going to give it up to me? - -MRS LINDE. -No, because that would not benefit you in the least. - -KROGSTAD. -Oh, benefit, benefit—I would have done it whether or no. - -MRS LINDE. -I have learned to act prudently. Life, and hard, bitter necessity have -taught me that. - -KROGSTAD. -And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches. - -MRS LINDE. -Then life has taught you something very reasonable. But deeds you must -believe in? - -KROGSTAD. -What do you mean by that? - -MRS LINDE. -You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some wreckage. - -KROGSTAD. -I had good reason to say so. - -MRS LINDE. -Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some wreckage—no one to -mourn for, no one to care for. - -KROGSTAD. -It was your own choice. - -MRS LINDE. -There was no other choice—then. - -KROGSTAD. -Well, what now? - -MRS LINDE. -Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked people could join forces? - -KROGSTAD. -What are you saying? - -MRS LINDE. -Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better chance than each -on their own. - -KROGSTAD. -Christine I... - -MRS LINDE. -What do you suppose brought me to town? - -KROGSTAD. -Do you mean that you gave me a thought? - -MRS LINDE. -I could not endure life without work. All my life, as long as I can -remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure. -But now I am quite alone in the world—my life is so dreadfully empty -and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working for -one’s self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for. - -KROGSTAD. -I don’t trust that. It is nothing but a woman’s overstrained sense of -generosity that prompts you to make such an offer of yourself. - -MRS LINDE. -Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me? - -KROGSTAD. -Could you really do it? Tell me—do you know all about my past life? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes. - -KROGSTAD. -And do you know what they think of me here? - -MRS LINDE. -You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been quite -another man. - -KROGSTAD. -I am certain of it. - -MRS LINDE. -Is it too late now? - -KROGSTAD. -Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure you are. I -see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then—? - -MRS LINDE. -I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We -two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character—I can -dare anything together with you. - -KROGSTAD. -_[grasps her hands]_. Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way -to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot— - -MRS LINDE. -_[listening]_. Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go! - -KROGSTAD. -Why? What is it? - -MRS LINDE. -Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we may expect them back. - -KROGSTAD. -Yes, yes—I will go. But it is all no use. Of course you are not aware -what steps I have taken in the matter of the Helmers. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, I know all about that. - -KROGSTAD. -And in spite of that have you the courage to—? - -MRS LINDE. -I understand very well to what lengths a man like you might be driven -by despair. - -KROGSTAD. -If I could only undo what I have done! - -MRS LINDE. -You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter-box now. - -KROGSTAD. -Are you sure of that? - -MRS LINDE. -Quite sure, but— - -KROGSTAD. -_[with a searching look at her]_. Is that what it all means?—that you -want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it? - -MRS LINDE. -Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake, doesn’t do -it a second time. - -KROGSTAD. -I will ask for my letter back. - -MRS LINDE. -No, no. - -KROGSTAD. -Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell -him he must give me my letter back—that it only concerns my -dismissal—that he is not to read it— - -MRS LINDE. -No, Nils, you must not recall your letter. - -KROGSTAD. -But, tell me, wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet -you here? - -MRS LINDE. -In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have -elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things -in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must -be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, -which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on. - -KROGSTAD. -Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is one thing -I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once. - -MRS LINDE. -_[listening]_. You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not -safe a moment longer. - -KROGSTAD. -I will wait for you below. - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, do. You must see me back to my door... - -KROGSTAD. -I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life! -_[Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and the -hall remains open.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -_[tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready]_. What a -difference! what a difference! Someone to work for and live for—a home -to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they would be -quick and come—_[Listens.]_ Ah, there they are now. I must put on my -things. _[Takes up her hat and cloak. HELMER’S and NORA’S voices are -heard outside; a key is turned, and HELMER brings NORA almost by force -into the hall. She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl -around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying -open.]_ - -NORA. -_[hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him]_. No, no, -no!—don’t take me in. I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to -leave so early. - -HELMER. -But, my dearest Nora— - -NORA. -Please, Torvald dear—please, please—only an hour more. - -HELMER. -Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our agreement. -Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing there. _[He -brings her gently into the room, in spite of her resistance.]_ - -MRS LINDE. -Good evening. - -NORA. -Christine! - -HELMER. -You here, so late, Mrs Linde? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in her dress. - -NORA. -Have you been sitting here waiting for me? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone upstairs; and -I thought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you. - -HELMER. -_[taking off NORA’S shawl]_. Yes, take a good look at her. I think she -is worth looking at. Isn’t she charming, Mrs Linde? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, indeed she is. - -HELMER. -Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought so at the dance. -But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What are we -to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost to bring her -away by force. - -NORA. -Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were only -for half an hour. - -HELMER. -Listen to her, Mrs Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and it had -been a tremendous success, as it deserved—although possibly the -performance was a trifle too realistic—a little more so, I mean, than -was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mind -about that! The chief thing is, she had made a success—she had made a -tremendous success. Do you think I was going to let her remain there -after that, and spoil the effect? No, indeed! I took my charming little -Capri maiden—my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say—on my arm; -took one quick turn round the room; a curtsey on either side, and, as -they say in novels, the beautiful apparition disappeared. An exit ought -always to be effective, Mrs Linde; but that is what I cannot make Nora -understand. Pooh! this room is hot. _[Throws his domino on a chair, and -opens the door of his room.]_ Hullo! it’s all dark in here. Oh, of -course—excuse me—. _[He goes in, and lights some candles.]_ - -NORA. -_[in a hurried and breathless whisper]_. Well? - -MRS LINDE. -_[in a low voice]_. I have had a talk with him. - -NORA. -Yes, and— - -MRS LINDE. -Nora, you must tell your husband all about it. - -NORA. -_[in an expressionless voice]_. I knew it. - -MRS LINDE. -You have nothing to be afraid of as far as Krogstad is concerned; but -you must tell him. - -NORA. -I won’t tell him. - -MRS LINDE. -Then the letter will. - -NORA. -Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I must do. Hush—! - -HELMER. -_[coming in again]_. Well, Mrs Linde, have you admired her? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, and now I will say goodnight. - -HELMER. -What, already? Is this yours, this knitting? - -MRS LINDE. -_[taking it]_. Yes, thank you, I had very nearly forgotten it. - -HELMER. -So you knit? - -MRS LINDE. -Of course. - -HELMER. -Do you know, you ought to embroider. - -MRS LINDE. -Really? Why? - -HELMER. -Yes, it’s far more becoming. Let me show you. You hold the embroidery -thus in your left hand, and use the needle with the right—like -this—with a long, easy sweep. Do you see? - -MRS LINDE. -Yes, perhaps— - -HELMER. -But in the case of knitting—that can never be anything but ungraceful; -look here—the arms close together, the knitting-needles going up and -down—it has a sort of Chinese effect—. That was really excellent -champagne they gave us. - -MRS LINDE. -Well,—goodnight, Nora, and don’t be self-willed any more. - -HELMER. -That’s right, Mrs Linde. - -MRS LINDE. -Goodnight, Mr. Helmer. - -HELMER. -_[accompanying her to the door]_. Goodnight, goodnight. I hope you will -get home all right. I should be very happy to—but you haven’t any great -distance to go. Goodnight, goodnight. _[She goes out; he shuts the door -after her, and comes in again.]_ Ah!—at last we have got rid of her. -She is a frightful bore, that woman. - -NORA. -Aren’t you very tired, Torvald? - -HELMER. -No, not in the least. - -NORA. -Nor sleepy? - -HELMER. -Not a bit. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarily lively. And you?—you -really look both tired and sleepy. - -NORA. -Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once. - -HELMER. -There, you see it was quite right of me not to let you stay there any -longer. - -NORA. -Everything you do is quite right, Torvald. - -HELMER. -_[kissing her on the forehead]_. Now my little skylark is speaking -reasonably. Did you notice what good spirits Rank was in this evening? - -NORA. -Really? Was he? I didn’t speak to him at all. - -HELMER. -And I very little, but I have not for a long time seen him in such good -form. _[Looks for a while at her and then goes nearer to her.]_ It is -delightful to be at home by ourselves again, to be all alone with -you—you fascinating, charming little darling! - -NORA. -Don’t look at me like that, Torvald. - -HELMER. -Why shouldn’t I look at my dearest treasure?—at all the beauty that is -mine, all my very own? - -NORA. -_[going to the other side of the table]_. You mustn’t say things like -that to me tonight. - -HELMER. -_[following her]_. You have still got the Tarantella in your blood, I -see. And it makes you more captivating than ever. Listen—the guests are -beginning to go now. _[In a lower voice.]_ Nora—soon the whole house -will be quiet. - -NORA. -Yes, I hope so. - -HELMER. -Yes, my own darling Nora. Do you know, when I am out at a party with -you like this, why I speak so little to you, keep away from you, and -only send a stolen glance in your direction now and then?—do you know -why I do that? It is because I make believe to myself that we are -secretly in love, and you are my secretly promised bride, and that no -one suspects there is anything between us. - -NORA. -Yes, yes—I know very well your thoughts are with me all the time. - -HELMER. -And when we are leaving, and I am putting the shawl over your beautiful -young shoulders—on your lovely neck—then I imagine that you are my -young bride and that we have just come from the wedding, and I am -bringing you for the first time into our home—to be alone with you for -the first time—quite alone with my shy little darling! All this evening -I have longed for nothing but you. When I watched the seductive figures -of the Tarantella, my blood was on fire; I could endure it no longer, -and that was why I brought you down so early— - -NORA. -Go away, Torvald! You must let me go. I won’t— - -HELMER. -What’s that? You’re joking, my little Nora! You won’t—you won’t? Am I -not your husband—? _[A knock is heard at the outer door.]_ - -NORA. -_[starting]_. Did you hear—? - -HELMER. -_[going into the hall]_. Who is it? - -RANK. -_[outside]_. It is I. May I come in for a moment? - -HELMER. -_[in a fretful whisper]_. Oh, what does he want now? _[Aloud.]_ Wait a -minute! _[Unlocks the door.]_ Come, that’s kind of you not to pass by -our door. - -RANK. -I thought I heard your voice, and felt as if I should like to look in. -_[With a swift glance round.]_ Ah, yes!—these dear familiar rooms. You -are very happy and cosy in here, you two. - -HELMER. -It seems to me that you looked after yourself pretty well upstairs too. - -RANK. -Excellently. Why shouldn’t I? Why shouldn’t one enjoy everything in -this world?—at any rate as much as one can, and as long as one can. The -wine was capital— - -HELMER. -Especially the champagne. - -RANK. -So you noticed that too? It is almost incredible how much I managed to -put away! - -NORA. -Torvald drank a great deal of champagne tonight too. - -RANK. -Did he? - -NORA. -Yes, and he is always in such good spirits afterwards. - -RANK. -Well, why should one not enjoy a merry evening after a well-spent day? - -HELMER. -Well spent? I am afraid I can’t take credit for that. - -RANK. -_[clapping him on the back]_. But I can, you know! - -NORA. -Doctor Rank, you must have been occupied with some scientific -investigation today. - -RANK. -Exactly. - -HELMER. -Just listen!—little Nora talking about scientific investigations! - -NORA. -And may I congratulate you on the result? - -RANK. -Indeed you may. - -NORA. -Was it favourable, then? - -RANK. -The best possible, for both doctor and patient—certainty. - -NORA. -_[quickly and searchingly]_. Certainty? - -RANK. -Absolute certainty. So wasn’t I entitled to make a merry evening of it -after that? - -NORA. -Yes, you certainly were, Doctor Rank. - -HELMER. -I think so too, so long as you don’t have to pay for it in the morning. - -RANK. -Oh well, one can’t have anything in this life without paying for it. - -NORA. -Doctor Rank—are you fond of fancy-dress balls? - -RANK. -Yes, if there is a fine lot of pretty costumes. - -NORA. -Tell me—what shall we two wear at the next? - -HELMER. -Little featherbrain!—are you thinking of the next already? - -RANK. -We two? Yes, I can tell you. You shall go as a good fairy— - -HELMER. -Yes, but what do you suggest as an appropriate costume for that? - -RANK. -Let your wife go dressed just as she is in everyday 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 -goodbye! - -HELMER. -Goodbye, goodbye, 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. -Emptying the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put -the newspaper in tomorrow morning. - -NORA. -Are you going to work tonight? - -HELMER. -You know quite well I’m not. What is this? Someone 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? - -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. - -HELMER. -My poor old friend! Certainly I knew we should not have him very long -with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away like a wounded -animal. - -NORA. -If it has to happen, it is best it should be without a word—don’t you -think so, Torvald? - -HELMER. -_[walking up and down]_. He had so grown into our lives. I can’t think -of him as having gone out of them. He, with his sufferings and his -loneliness, was like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, -perhaps it is best so. For him, anyway. _[Standing still.]_ And perhaps -for us too, Nora. We two are thrown quite upon each other now. _[Puts -his arms round her.]_ My darling wife, I don’t feel as if I could hold -you tight enough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might -be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life’s -blood, and everything, for your sake. - -NORA. -_[disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly]_. Now you must -read your letters, Torvald. - -HELMER. -No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife. - -NORA. -With the thought of your friend’s death— - -HELMER. -You are right, it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between -us—the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds -of that. Until then—we will each go to our own room. - -NORA. -_[hanging on his neck]_. Goodnight, Torvald—Goodnight! - -HELMER. -_[kissing her on the forehead]_. Goodnight, my little singing-bird. -Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my letters through. _[He takes his -letters and goes into his room, shutting the door after him.]_ - -NORA. -_[gropes distractedly about, seizes HELMER’S domino, throws it round -her, while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic whispers]_. Never to -see him again. Never! Never! _[Puts her shawl over her head.]_ Never to -see my children again either—never again. Never! Never!—Ah! the icy, -black water—the unfathomable depths—If only it were over! He has got it -now—now he is reading it. Goodbye, Torvald and my children! _[She is -about to rush out through the hall, when HELMER opens his door -hurriedly and stands with an open letter in his hand.]_ - -HELMER. -Nora! - -NORA. -Ah!— - -HELMER. -What is this? Do you know what is in this letter? - -NORA. -Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out! - -HELMER. -_[holding her back]_. Where are you going? - -NORA. -_[trying to get free]_. You shan’t save me, Torvald! - -HELMER. -_[reeling]_. True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no—it -is impossible that it can be true. - -NORA. -It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world. - -HELMER. -Oh, don’t let us have any silly excuses. - -NORA. -_[taking a step towards him]_. Torvald—! - -HELMER. -Miserable creature—what have you done? - -NORA. -Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon -yourself. - -HELMER. -No tragic airs, please. _[Locks the hall door.]_ Here you shall stay -and give me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? -Answer me! Do you understand what you have done? - -NORA. -_[looks steadily at him and says with a growing look of coldness in her -face]_. Yes, now I am beginning to understand thoroughly. - -HELMER. -_[walking about the room]_. What a horrible awakening! All these eight -years—she who was my joy and pride—a hypocrite, a liar—worse, worse—a -criminal! The unutterable ugliness of it all!—For shame! For shame! -_[NORA is silent and looks steadily at him. He stops in front of her.]_ -I ought to have suspected that something of the sort would happen. I -ought to have foreseen it. All your father’s want of principle—be -silent!—all your father’s want of principle has come out in you. No -religion, no morality, no sense of duty—. How I am punished for having -winked at what he did! I did it for your sake, and this is how you -repay me. - -NORA. -Yes, that’s just it. - -HELMER. -Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future. -It is horrible to think of! I am in the power of an unscrupulous man; -he can do what he likes with me, ask anything he likes of me, give me -any orders he pleases—I dare not refuse. And I must sink to such -miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman! - -NORA. -When I am out of the way, you will be free. - -HELMER. -No fine speeches, please. Your father had always plenty of those ready, -too. What good would it be to me if you were out of the way, as you -say? Not the slightest. He can make the affair known everywhere; and if -he does, I may be falsely suspected of having been a party to your -criminal action. Very likely people will think I was behind it all—that -it was I who prompted you! And I have to thank you for all this—you -whom I have cherished during the whole of our married life. Do you -understand now what it is you have done for me? - -NORA. -_[coldly and quietly]_. Yes. - -HELMER. -It is so incredible that I can’t take it in. But we must come to some -understanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I tell you. I must try -and appease him some way or another. The matter must be hushed up at -any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything -between us were just as before—but naturally only in the eyes of the -world. You will still remain in my house, that is a matter of course. -But I shall not allow you to bring up the children; I dare not trust -them to you. To think that I should be obliged to say so to one whom I -have loved so dearly, and whom I still—. No, that is all over. From -this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to -save the remains, the fragments, the appearance— - -_[A ring is heard at the front-door bell.]_ - -HELMER. -_[with a start]_. What is that? So late! Can the worst—? Can he—? Hide -yourself, Nora. Say you are ill. - -_[NORA stands motionless. HELMER goes and unlocks the hall door.]_ - -MAID. -_[half-dressed, comes to the door]_. A letter for the mistress. - -HELMER. -Give it to me. _[Takes the letter, and shuts the door.]_ Yes, it is -from him. You shall not have it; I will read it myself. - -NORA. -Yes, read it. - -HELMER. -_[standing by the lamp]_. I scarcely have the courage to do it. It may -mean ruin for both of us. No, I must know. _[Tears open the letter, -runs his eye over a few lines, looks at a paper enclosed, and gives a -shout of joy.]_ Nora! _[She looks at him questioningly.]_ Nora!—No, I -must read it once again—. Yes, it is true! I am saved! Nora, I am -saved! - -NORA. -And I? - -HELMER. -You too, of course; we are both saved, both you and I. Look, he sends -you your bond back. He says he regrets and repents—that a happy change -in his life—never mind what he says! We are saved, Nora! No one can do -anything to you. Oh, Nora, Nora!—no, first I must destroy these hateful -things. Let me see—. _[Takes a look at the bond.]_ No, no, I won’t look -at it. The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. _[Tears -up the bond and both letters, throws them all into the stove, and -watches them burn.]_ There—now it doesn’t exist any longer. He says -that since Christmas Eve you—. These must have been three dreadful days -for you, Nora. - -NORA. -I have fought a hard fight these three days. - -HELMER. -And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but—. No, we won’t call any -of the horrors to mind. We will only shout with joy, and keep saying, -“It’s all over! It’s all over!” Listen to me, Nora. You don’t seem to -realise that it is all over. What is this?—such a cold, set face! My -poor little Nora, I quite understand; you don’t feel as if you could -believe that I have forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, I swear it; I -have forgiven you everything. I know that what you did, you did out of -love for me. - -NORA. -That is true. - -HELMER. -You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had not -sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose -you are any the less dear to me, because you don’t understand how to -act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean on me; I will advise -you and direct you. I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness -did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes. You must not -think anymore about the hard things I said in my first moment of -consternation, when I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I -have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgiven you. - -NORA. -Thank you for your forgiveness. _[She goes out through the door to the -right.]_ - -HELMER. -No, don’t go—. _[Looks in.]_ What are you doing in there? - -NORA. -_[from within]_. Taking off my fancy dress. - -HELMER. -_[standing at the open door]_. Yes, do. Try and calm yourself, and make -your mind easy again, my frightened little singing-bird. Be at rest, -and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under. _[Walks up -and down by the door.]_ How warm and cosy our home is, Nora. Here is -shelter for you; here I will protect you like a hunted dove that I have -saved from a hawk’s claws; I will bring peace to your poor beating -heart. It will come, little by little, Nora, believe me. Tomorrow -morning you will look upon it all quite differently; soon everything -will be just as it was before. Very soon you won’t need me to assure -you that I have forgiven you; you will yourself feel the certainty that -I have done so. Can you suppose I should ever think of such a thing as -repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have no idea what a true -man’s heart is like, Nora. There is something so indescribably sweet -and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that he has forgiven his -wife—forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. It seems as if that -had made her, as it were, doubly his own; he has given her a new life, -so to speak; and she has in a way become both wife and child to him. So -you shall be for me after this, my little scared, helpless darling. -Have no anxiety about anything, Nora; only be frank and open with me, -and I will serve as will and conscience both to you—. What is this? Not -gone to bed? Have you changed your things? - -NORA. -_[in everyday dress]_. Yes, Torvald, I have changed my things now. - -HELMER. -But what for?—so late as this. - -NORA. -I shall not sleep tonight. - -HELMER. -But, my dear Nora— - -NORA. -_[looking at her watch]_. It is not so very late. Sit down here, -Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another. _[She sits down at -one side of the table.]_ - -HELMER. -Nora—what is this?—this cold, set face? - -NORA. -Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk over with you. - -HELMER. -_[sits down at the opposite side of the table]_. You alarm me, -Nora!—and I don’t understand you. - -NORA. -No, that is just it. You don’t understand me, and I have never -understood you either—before tonight. No, you mustn’t interrupt me. You -must simply listen to what I say. Torvald, this is a settling of -accounts. - -HELMER. -What do you mean by that? - -NORA. -_[after a short silence]_. Isn’t there one thing that strikes you as -strange in our sitting here like this? - -HELMER. -What is that? - -NORA. -We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur to you that -this is the first time we two, you and I, husband and wife, have had a -serious conversation? - -HELMER. -What do you mean by serious? - -NORA. -In all these eight years—longer than that—from the very beginning of -our acquaintance, we have never exchanged a word on any serious -subject. - -HELMER. -Was it likely that I would be continually and forever telling you about -worries that you could not help me to bear? - -NORA. -I am not speaking about business matters. I say that we have never sat -down in earnest together to try and get at the bottom of anything. - -HELMER. -But, dearest Nora, would it have been any good to you? - -NORA. -That is just it; you have never understood me. I have been greatly -wronged, Torvald—first by papa and then by you. - -HELMER. -What! By us two—by us two, who have loved you better than anyone else -in the world? - -NORA. -_[shaking her head]_. You have never loved me. You have only thought it -pleasant to be in love with me. - -HELMER. -Nora, what do I hear you saying? - -NORA. -It is perfectly true, Torvald. When I was at home with papa, he told me -his opinion about everything, and so I had the same opinions; and if I -differed from him I concealed the fact, because he would not have liked -it. He called me his doll-child, and he played with me just as I used -to play with my dolls. And when I came to live with you— - -HELMER. -What sort of an expression is that to use about our marriage? - -NORA. -_[undisturbed]_. I mean that I was simply transferred from papa’s hands -into yours. You arranged everything according to your own taste, and so -I got the same tastes as you—or else I pretended to, I am really not -quite sure which—I think sometimes the one and sometimes the other. -When I look back on it, it seems to me as if I had been living here -like a poor woman—just from hand to mouth. I have existed merely to -perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and papa -have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have -made nothing of my life. - -HELMER. -How unreasonable and how ungrateful you are, Nora! Have you not been -happy here? - -NORA. -No, I have never been happy. I thought I was, but it has never really -been so. - -HELMER. -Not—not happy! - -NORA. -No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home -has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at -home I was papa’s doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls. -I thought it great fun when you played with me, just as they thought it -great fun when I played with them. That is what our marriage has been, -Torvald. - -HELMER. -There is some truth in what you say—exaggerated and strained as your -view of it is. But for the future it shall be different. Playtime shall -be over, and lesson-time shall begin. - -NORA. -Whose lessons? Mine, or the children’s? - -HELMER. -Both yours and the children’s, my darling Nora. - -NORA. -Alas, Torvald, you are not the man to educate me into being a proper -wife for you. - -HELMER. -And you can say that! - -NORA. -And I—how am I fitted to bring up the children? - -HELMER. -Nora! - -NORA. -Didn’t you say so yourself a little while ago—that you dare not trust -me to bring them up? - -HELMER. -In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that? - -NORA. -Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is -another task I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself—you -are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that -is why I am going to leave you now. - -HELMER. -_[springing up]_. What do you say? - -NORA. -I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything -about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any -longer. - -HELMER. -Nora, Nora! - -NORA. -I am going away from here now, at once. I am sure Christine will take -me in for the night— - -HELMER. -You are out of your mind! I won’t allow it! I forbid you! - -NORA. -It is no use forbidding me anything any longer. I will take with me -what belongs to myself. I will take nothing from you, either now or -later. - -HELMER. -What sort of madness is this! - -NORA. -Tomorrow I shall go home—I mean, to my old home. It will be easiest for -me to find something to do there. - -HELMER. -You blind, foolish woman! - -NORA. -I must try and get some sense, Torvald. - -HELMER. -To desert your home, your husband and your children! And you don’t -consider what people will say! - -NORA. -I cannot consider that at all. I only know that it is necessary for me. - -HELMER. -It’s shocking. This is how you would neglect your most sacred duties. - -NORA. -What do you consider my most sacred duties? - -HELMER. -Do I need to tell you that? Are they not your duties to your husband -and your children? - -NORA. -I have other duties just as sacred. - -HELMER. -That you have not. What duties could those be? - -NORA. -Duties to myself. - -HELMER. -Before all else, you are a wife and a mother. - -NORA. -I don’t believe that any longer. I believe that before all else I am a -reasonable human being, just as you are—or, at all events, that I must -try and become one. I know quite well, Torvald, that most people would -think you right, and that views of that kind are to be found in books; -but I can no longer content myself with what most people say, or with -what is found in books. I must think over things for myself and get to -understand them. - -HELMER. -Can you not understand your place in your own home? Have you not a -reliable guide in such matters as that?—have you no religion? - -NORA. -I am afraid, Torvald, I do not exactly know what religion is. - -HELMER. -What are you saying? - -NORA. -I know nothing but what the clergyman said, when I went to be -confirmed. He told us that religion was this, and that, and the other. -When I am away from all this, and am alone, I will look into that -matter too. I will see if what the clergyman said is true, or at all -events if it is true for me. - -HELMER. -This is unheard of in a girl of your age! But if religion cannot lead -you aright, let me try and awaken your conscience. I suppose you have -some moral sense? Or—answer me—am I to think you have none? - -NORA. -I assure you, Torvald, that is not an easy question to answer. I really -don’t know. The thing perplexes me altogether. I only know that you and -I look at it in quite a different light. I am learning, too, that the -law is quite another thing from what I supposed; but I find it -impossible to convince myself that the law is right. According to it a -woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her -husband’s life. I can’t believe that. - -HELMER. -You talk like a child. You don’t understand the conditions of the world -in which you live. - -NORA. -No, I don’t. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can make -out who is right, the world or I. - -HELMER. -You are ill, Nora; you are delirious; I almost think you are out of -your mind. - -NORA. -I have never felt my mind so clear and certain as tonight. - -HELMER. -And is it with a clear and certain mind that you forsake your husband -and your children? - -NORA. -Yes, it is. - -HELMER. -Then there is only one possible explanation. - -NORA. -What is that? - -HELMER. -You do not love me anymore. - -NORA. -No, that is just it. - -HELMER. -Nora!—and you can say that? - -NORA. -It gives me great pain, Torvald, for you have always been so kind to -me, but I cannot help it. I do not love you any more. - -HELMER. -_[regaining his composure]_. Is that a clear and certain conviction -too? - -NORA. -Yes, absolutely clear and certain. That is the reason why I will not -stay here any longer. - -HELMER. -And can you tell me what I have done to forfeit your love? - -NORA. -Yes, indeed I can. It was tonight, when the wonderful thing did not -happen; then I saw you were not the man I had thought you were. - -HELMER. -Explain yourself better. I don’t understand you. - -NORA. -I have waited so patiently for eight years; for, goodness knows, I knew -very well that wonderful things don’t happen every day. Then this -horrible misfortune came upon me; and then I felt quite certain that -the wonderful thing was going to happen at last. When Krogstad’s letter -was lying out there, never for a moment did I imagine that you would -consent to accept this man’s conditions. I was so absolutely certain -that you would say to him: Publish the thing to the whole world. And -when that was done— - -HELMER. -Yes, what then?—when I had exposed my wife to shame and disgrace? - -NORA. -When that was done, I was so absolutely certain, you would come forward -and take everything upon yourself, and say: I am the guilty one. - -HELMER. -Nora—! - -NORA. -You mean that I would never have accepted such a sacrifice on your -part? No, of course not. But what would my assurances have been worth -against yours? That was the wonderful thing which I hoped for and -feared; and it was to prevent that, that I wanted to kill myself. - -HELMER. -I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bear sorrow and want -for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he -loves. - -NORA. -It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done. - -HELMER. -Oh, you think and talk like a heedless child. - -NORA. -Maybe. But you neither think nor talk like the man I could bind myself -to. As soon as your fear was over—and it was not fear for what -threatened me, but for what might happen to you—when the whole thing -was past, as far as you were concerned it was exactly as if nothing at -all had happened. Exactly as before, I was your little skylark, your -doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentle care, because -it was so brittle and fragile. _[Getting up.]_ Torvald—it was then it -dawned upon me that for eight years I had been living here with a -strange man, and had borne him three children—. Oh, I can’t bear to -think of it! I could tear myself into little bits! - -HELMER. -_[sadly]_. I see, I see. An abyss has opened between us—there is no -denying it. But, Nora, would it not be possible to fill it up? - -NORA. -As I am now, I am no wife for you. - -HELMER. -I have it in me to become a different man. - -NORA. -Perhaps—if your doll is taken away from you. - -HELMER. -But to part!—to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can’t understand that -idea. - -NORA. -_[going out to the right]_. That makes it all the more certain that it -must be done. _[She comes back with her cloak and hat and a small bag -which she puts on a chair by the table.]_ - -HELMER. -Nora, Nora, not now! Wait until tomorrow. - -NORA. -_[putting on her cloak]_. I cannot spend the night in a strange man’s -room. - -HELMER. -But can’t we live here like brother and sister—? - -NORA. -_[putting on her hat]_. You know very well that would not last long. -_[Puts the shawl round her.]_ Goodbye, Torvald. I won’t see the little -ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can be -of no use to them. - -HELMER. -But some day, Nora—some day? - -NORA. -How can I tell? I have no idea what is going to become of me. - -HELMER. -But you are my wife, whatever becomes of you. - -NORA. -Listen, Torvald. I have heard that when a wife deserts her husband’s -house, as I am doing now, he is legally freed from all obligations -towards her. In any case, I set you free from all your obligations. You -are not to feel yourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I -shall. There must be perfect freedom on both sides. See, here is your -ring back. Give me mine. - -HELMER. -That too? - -NORA. -That too. - -HELMER. -Here it is. - -NORA. -That’s right. Now it is all over. I have put the keys here. The maids -know all about everything in the house—better than I do. Tomorrow, -after I have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own -things that I brought with me from home. I will have them sent after -me. - -HELMER. -All over! All over!—Nora, shall you never think of me again? - -NORA. -I know I shall often think of you, the children, and this house. - -HELMER. -May I write to you, Nora? - -NORA. -No—never. You must not do that. - -HELMER. -But at least let me send you— - -NORA. -Nothing—nothing— - -HELMER. -Let me help you if you are in want. - -NORA. -No. I can receive nothing from a stranger. - -HELMER. -Nora—can I never be anything more than a stranger to you? - -NORA. -_[taking her bag]_. Ah, Torvald, the most wonderful thing of all would -have to happen. - -HELMER. -Tell me what that would be! - -NORA. -Both you and I would have to be so changed that—. Oh, Torvald, I don’t -believe any longer in wonderful things happening. - -HELMER. -But I will believe in it. Tell me! So changed that—? - -NORA. -That our life together would be a real wedlock. Goodbye. _[She goes out -through the hall.]_ - -HELMER. -_[sinks down on a chair at the door and buries his face in his hands]_. -Nora! Nora! _[Looks round, and rises.]_ Empty. 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