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diff --git a/old/2542.txt b/old/2542.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a2526bf..0000000 --- a/old/2542.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4326 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: A Doll's House - -Author: Henrik Ibsen - -Posting Date: December 13, 2008 [EBook #2542] -Release Date: March, 2001 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DOLL'S HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Martin Adamson - - - - - -A DOLL'S HOUSE - -by Henrik Ibsen - - - - -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. She is gone. (A -hope flashes across his mind.) The most wonderful thing of all--? - -(The sound of a door shutting is heard from below.) - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DOLL'S HOUSE *** - -***** This file should be named 2542.txt or 2542.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/4/2542/ - -Produced by Martin Adamson - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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