[_Carelessly_] and other work too. You know, of course, that Torvald
left the Government service when we were married. He had little chance
of promotion, and of course he required to make more money. But in the
first year after our marriage he overworked himself terribly. He had to
undertake all sorts of extra work, you know, and to slave early and
late. He couldn’t stand it, and fell dangerously ill. Then the doctors
declared he must go to the South.
MRS. LINDEN.
You spent a whole year in Italy, didn’t you?
NORA.
Yes, we did. It wasn’t easy to manage, I can tell you. It was just after
Ivar’s birth. But of course we had to go. Oh, it was a wonderful,
delicious journey! And it saved Torvald’s life. But it cost a frightful
lot of money, Christina.
MRS. LINDEN.
So I should think.
NORA.
Twelve hundred dollars! Four thousand eight hundred crowns![7] Isn’t
that a lot of money?
MRS. LINDEN.
How lucky you had the money to spend!
NORA.
We got it from father, you must know.
MRS. LINDEN.
Ah, I see. He died just about that time, didn’t he?
NORA.
Yes, Christina, just then. And only think! I couldn’t go and nurse him!
I was expecting little Ivar’s birth daily; and then I had my poor sick
Torvald to attend to. Dear, kind old father! I never saw him again,
Christina. Oh! that’s the hardest thing I have had to bear since my
marriage.
MRS. LINDEN.
I know how fond you were of him. But then you went to Italy?
NORA.
Yes; you see, we had the money, and the doctors said we must lose no
time. We started a month later.
MRS. LINDEN.
And your husband came back completely cured.
NORA.
Sound as a bell.
MRS. LINDEN.
But—the doctor?
NORA.
What do you mean?
MRS. LINDEN.
I thought as I came in your servant announced the doctor——
NORA.
Oh, yes; Doctor Rank. But he doesn’t come professionally. He is our best
friend, and never lets a day pass without looking in. No, Torvald hasn’t
had an hour’s illness since that time. And the children are so healthy
and well, and so am I. [_Jumps up and claps her hands._] Oh, Christina,
Christina, what a wonderful thing it is to live and to be happy!—Oh, but
it’s really too horrid of me! Here am I talking about nothing but my own
concerns. [_Seats herself upon a footstool close to CHRISTINA, and lays
her arms on her friend’s lap._] Oh, don’t be angry with me! Now tell me,
is it really true that you didn’t love your husband? What made you marry
him, then?
MRS. LINDEN.
My mother was still alive, you see, bedridden and helpless; and then I
had my two younger brothers to think of. I didn’t think it would be
right for me to refuse him.
NORA.
Perhaps it wouldn’t have been. I suppose he was rich then?
MRS. LINDEN.
Very well off, I believe. But his business was uncertain. It fell to
pieces at his death, and there was nothing left.
NORA.
And then——?
MRS. LINDEN.
Then I had to fight my way by keeping a shop, a little school, anything
I could turn my hand to. The last three years have been one long
struggle for me. But now it is over, Nora. My poor mother no longer
needs me; she is at rest. And the boys are in business, and can look
after themselves.
NORA.
How free your life must feel!
MRS. LINDEN.
No, Nora; only inexpressibly empty. No one to live for! [_Stands up
restlessly._] That’s why I could not bear to stay any longer in that
out-of-the way corner. Here it must be easier to find something to take
one up—to occupy one’s thoughts. If I could only get some settled
employment—some office work.
NORA.
But, Christina, that’s such drudgery, and you look worn out already. It
would be ever so much better for you to go to some watering-place and
rest.
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Going to the window._] I have no father to give me the money, Nora.
NORA.
[_Rising._] Oh, don’t be vexed with me.
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Going to her._] My dear Nora, don’t you be vexed with me. The worst of
a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. You have no one to
work for, yet you have to be always on the strain. You must live; and so
you become selfish. When I heard of the happy change in your
fortunes—can you believe it?—I was glad for my own sake more than for
yours.
NORA.
How do you mean? Ah, I see! You think Torvald can perhaps do something
for you.
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes; I thought so.
NORA.
And so he shall, Christina. Just you leave it all to me. I shall lead up
to it beautifully!—I shall think of some delightful plan to put him in a
good humour! Oh, I should so love to help you.
MRS. LINDEN.
How good of you, Nora, to stand by me so warmly! Doubly good in you, who
know so little of the troubles and burdens of life.
NORA.
I? I know so little of——?
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Smiling._] Oh, well—a little fancy-work, and so forth.—You’re a child,
Nora.
NORA.
[_Tosses her head and paces the room._] Oh, come, you mustn’t be so
patronising!
MRS. LINDEN.
No?
NORA.
You’re like the rest. You all think I’m fit for nothing really serious——
MRS. LINDEN.
Well, well——
NORA.
You think I’ve had no troubles in this weary world.
MRS. LINDEN.
My dear Nora, you’ve just told me all your troubles.
NORA.
Pooh—those trifles! [_Softly._] I haven’t told you the great thing.
MRS. LINDEN.
The great thing? What do you mean?
NORA.
I know you look down upon me, Christina; but you have no right to. You
are proud of having worked so hard and so long for your mother.
MRS. LINDEN.
I am sure I don’t look down upon any one; but it’s true I am both proud
and glad when I remember that I was able to keep my mother’s last days
free from care.
NORA.
And you’re proud to think of what you have done for your brothers, too.
MRS. LINDEN.
Have I not the right to be?
NORA.
Yes indeed. But now let me tell you, Christina—I, too, have something to
be proud and glad of.
MRS. LINDEN.
I don’t doubt it. But what do you mean?
NORA.
Hush! Not so loud. Only think, if Torvald were to hear! He mustn’t—not
for worlds! No one must know about it, Christina—no one but you.
MRS. LINDEN.
Why, what can it be?
NORA.
Come over here. [_Draws her down beside her on the sofa._] Yes,
Christina—I, too, have something to be proud and glad of. I saved
Torvald’s life.
MRS. LINDEN.
Saved his life? How?
NORA.
I told you about our going to Italy. Torvald would have died but for
that.
MRS. LINDEN.
Well—and your father gave you the money.
NORA.
[_Smiling._] Yes, so Torvald and every one believes; but——
MRS. LINDEN.
But——?
NORA.
Papa didn’t give us one penny. It was _I_ that found the money.
MRS. LINDEN.
You? All that money?
NORA.
Twelve hundred dollars. Four thousand eight hundred crowns. What do you
say to that?
MRS. LINDEN.
My dear Nora, how did you manage it? Did you win it in the lottery?
NORA.
[_Contemptuously_] In the lottery? Pooh! Any one could have done _that_!
MRS. LINDEN.
Then wherever did you get it from?
NORA.
[_Hums and smiles mysteriously._] H’m; tra-la-la-la!
MRS. LINDEN.
Of course you couldn’t borrow it.
NORA.
No? Why not?
MRS. LINDEN.
Why, a wife can’t borrow without her husband’s consent.
NORA.
[_Tossing her head._] Oh! when the wife has some idea of business, and
knows how to set about things——
MRS. LINDEN.
But, Nora, I don’t understand——
NORA.
Well, you needn’t. I never said I borrowed the money. There are many
ways I may have got it.
[_Throws herself back on the sofa._] I may have got it from some
admirer. When one is so—attractive as I am——
MRS. LINDEN.
You’re too silly, Nora.
NORA.
Now I’m sure you’re dying of curiosity, Christina——
MRS. LINDEN.
Listen to me, Nora dear: haven’t you been a little rash?
NORA.
[_Sitting upright again._] Is it rash to save one’s husband’s life?
MRS. LINDEN.
I think it was rash of you, without his knowledge——
NORA.
But it would have been fatal for him to know! Can’t you understand that?
He wasn’t even to suspect how ill he was. The doctors came to me
privately and told me his life was in danger—that nothing could save him
but a winter in the South. Do you think I didn’t try diplomacy first? I
told him how I longed to have a trip abroad, like other young wives; I
wept and prayed; I said he ought to think of my condition, and not to
thwart me; and then I hinted that he could borrow the money. But then,
Christina, he got almost angry. He said I was frivolous, and that it was
his duty as a husband not to yield to my whims and fancies—so he called
them. Very well, thought I, but saved you must be; and then I found the
way to do it.
MRS. LINDEN.
And did your husband never learn from your father that the money was not
from him?
NORA.
No; never. Papa died at that very time. I meant to have told him all
about it, and begged him to say nothing. But he was so ill—unhappily, it
wasn’t necessary.
MRS. LINDEN.
And you have never confessed to your husband?
NORA.
Good heavens! What can you be thinking of? _Tell him_, when he has such
a loathing of debt! And besides—how painful and humiliating it would be
for Torvald, with his manly self-respect, to know that he owed anything
to me! It would utterly upset the relation between us; our beautiful,
happy home would never again be what it is.
MRS. LINDEN.
Will you never tell him?
NORA.
[_Thoughtfully, half-smiling._] Yes, some time perhaps—many, many years
hence, when I’m—not so pretty. You mustn’t laugh at me! Of course I mean
when Torvald is not so much in love with me as he is now; when it
doesn’t amuse him any longer to see me dancing about, and dressing up
and acting. Then it might be well to have something in reserve.
[_Breaking off._] Nonsense! nonsense! That time will never come. Now,
what do you say to my grand secret, Christina? Am I fit for nothing now?
You may believe it has cost me a lot of anxiety. It has been no joke to
meet my engagements punctually. You must know, Christina, that in
business there are things called instalments, and quarterly interest,
that are terribly hard to provide for. So I’ve had to pinch a little
here and there, wherever I could. I couldn’t save much out of the
housekeeping, for of course Torvald had to live well. And I couldn’t let
the children go about badly dressed; all I got for them, I spent on
them, the blessed darlings!
MRS. LINDEN.
Poor Nora! So it had to come out of your own pocket-money.
NORA.
Yes, of course. After all, the whole thing was my doing. When Torvald
gave me money for clothes, and so on, I never spent more than half of
it; I always bought the simplest and cheapest things. It’s a mercy that
everything suits me so well—Torvald never had any suspicions. But it was
often very hard, Christina dear. For it’s nice to be beautifully
dressed—now, isn’t it?
MRS. LINDEN.
Indeed it is.
NORA.
Well, and besides that, I made money in other ways. Last winter I was so
lucky—I got a heap of copying to do. I shut myself up every evening and
wrote far into the night. Oh, sometimes I was so tired, so tired. And
yet it was splendid to work in that way and earn money. I almost felt as
if I was a man.
MRS. LINDEN.
Then how much have you been able to pay off?
NORA.
Well, I can’t precisely say. It’s difficult to keep that sort of
business clear. I only know that I’ve paid everything I could scrape
together. Sometimes I really didn’t know where to turn. [_Smiles._] Then
I used to sit here and pretend that a rich old gentleman was in love
with me——
MRS. LINDEN.
What! What gentleman?
NORA.
Oh, nobody!—that he was dead now, and that when his will was opened,
there stood in large letters: “Pay over at once everything of which I
die possessed to that charming person, Mrs. Nora Helmer.”
MRS. LINDEN.
But, my dear Nora—what gentleman do you mean?
NORA.
Oh dear, can’t you understand? There wasn’t any old gentleman: it was
only what I used to dream and dream when I was at my wits’ end for
money. But it doesn’t matter now—the tiresome old creature may stay
where he is for me. I care nothing for him or his will; for now my
troubles are over. [_Springing up._] Oh, Christina, how glorious it is
to think of! Free from all anxiety! Free, quite free. To be able to play
and romp about with the children; to have things tasteful and pretty in
the house, exactly as Torvald likes it! And then the spring will soon be
here, with the great blue sky. Perhaps then we shall have a little
holiday. Perhaps I shall see the sea again. Oh, what a wonderful thing
it is to live and to be happy!
[_The hall-door bell rings._
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Rising._] There’s a ring. Perhaps I had better go.
NORA.
No; do stay. No one will come here. It’s sure to be some one for
Torvald.
ELLEN.
[_In the doorway._] If you please, ma’am, there’s a gentleman to speak
to Mr. Helmer.
NORA.
Who is the gentleman?
KROGSTAD.
[_In the doorway._] It is I, Mrs. Helmer.
[MRS. LINDEN _starts and turns away to the window._
NORA.
[_Goes a step towards him, anxiously, speaking low._] You? What is it?
What do you want with my husband?
KROGSTAD.
Bank business—in a way. I hold a small post in the Joint Stock Bank, and
your husband is to be our new chief, I hear.
NORA.
Then it is——?
KROGSTAD.
Only tiresome business, Mrs. Helmer; nothing more.
NORA.
Then will you please go to his study.
[KROGSTAD _goes. She bows indifferently while she closes the
door into the hall. Then she goes to the stove and looks to
the fire._
MRS. LINDEN.
Nora—who was that man?
NORA.
A Mr. Krogstad—a lawyer.
MRS. LINDEN.
Then it was really he?
NORA.
Do you know him?
MRS. LINDEN.
I used to know him—many years ago. He was in a lawyer’s office in our
town.
NORA.
Yes, so he was.
MRS. LINDEN.
How he has changed!
NORA.
I believe his marriage was unhappy.
MRS. LINDEN.
And he is a widower now?
NORA.
With a lot of children. There! Now it will burn up.
[_She closes the stove, and pushes the rocking-chair a little
aside._
MRS. LINDEN.
His business is not of the most creditable, they say?
NORA.
Isn’t it? I daresay not. I don’t know. But don’t let us think of
business—it’s so tiresome.
_DR. RANK comes out of HELMER’S room._
RANK.
[_Still in the doorway._] No, no; I’m in your way. I shall go and have a
chat with your wife. [_Shuts the door and sees_ MRS. LINDEN.] Oh, I beg
your pardon. I’m in the way here too.
NORA.
No, not in the least. [_Introduces them._] Doctor Rank—Mrs. Linden.
RANK.
Oh, indeed; I’ve often heard Mrs. Linden’s name; I think I passed you on
the stairs as I came up.
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes; I go so very slowly. Stairs try me so much.
RANK.
Ah—you are not very strong?
MRS. LINDEN.
Only overworked.
RANK.
Nothing more? Then no doubt you’ve come to town to find rest in a round
of dissipation?
MRS. LINDEN.
I have come to look for employment.
RANK.
Is that an approved remedy for overwork?
MRS. LINDEN.
One must live, Doctor Rank.
RANK.
Yes, that seems to be the general opinion.
NORA.
Come, Doctor Rank—you want to live yourself.
RANK.
To be sure I do. However wretched I may be, I want to drag on as long as
possible. All my patients, too, have the same mania. And it’s the same
with people whose complaint is moral. At this very moment Helmer is
talking to just such a moral incurable——
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Softly._] Ah!
NORA.
Whom do you mean?
RANK.
Oh, a fellow named Krogstad, a man you know nothing about—corrupt to the
very core of his character. But even he began by announcing, as a matter
of vast importance, that he must live.
NORA.
Indeed? And what did he want with Torvald?
RANK.
I haven’t an idea; I only gathered that it was some bank business.
NORA.
I didn’t know that Krog—that this Mr. Krogstad had anything to do with
the Bank?
RANK.
Yes. He has got some sort of place there. [_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] I don’t
know whether, in your part of the country, you have people who go
grubbing and sniffing around in search of moral rottenness—and then,
when they have found a “case,” don’t rest till they have got their man
into some good position, where they can keep a watch upon him. Men with
a clean bill of health they leave out in the cold.
MRS. LINDEN.
Well, I suppose the—delicate characters require most care.
RANK.
[_Shrugs his shoulders._] There we have it! It’s that notion that makes
society a hospital.
[NORA, _deep in her own thoughts, breaks into half-stifled
laughter and claps her hands._
RANK.
Why do you laugh at that? Have you any idea what “society” is?
NORA.
What do I care for your tiresome society? I was laughing at something
else—something excessively amusing. Tell me, Doctor Rank, are all the
employees at the Bank dependent on Torvald now?
RANK.
Is that what strikes you as excessively amusing?
NORA.
[_Smiles and hums._] Never mind, never mind! [_Walks about the room._]
Yes, it is funny to think that we—that Torvald has such power over so
many people. [_Takes the bag from her pocket._] Doctor Rank, will you
have a macaroon?
RANK.
What!—macaroons! I thought they were contraband here.
NORA.
Yes; but Christina brought me these.
Mrs. Linden.
What! I——?
NORA.
Oh, well! Don’t be frightened. You couldn’t possibly know that Torvald
had forbidden them. The fact is, he’s afraid of me spoiling my teeth.
But, oh bother, just for once!—That’s for you, Doctor Rank! [_Puts a
macaroon into his mouth._] And you too, Christina. And I’ll have one
while we’re about it—only a tiny one, or at most two. [_Walks about
again._] Oh dear, I am happy! There’s only one thing in the world I
really want.
RANK.
Well; what’s that?
NORA.
There’s something I should so like to say—in Torvald’s hearing.
RANK.
Then why don’t you say it?
NORA.
Because I daren’t, it’s so ugly.
MRS. LINDEN.
Ugly?
RANK.
In that case you’d better not. But to us you might——What is it you would
so like to say in Helmer’s hearing?
NORA.
I should so love to say “Damn it all!”[8]
RANK.
Are you out of your mind?
MRS. LINDEN.
Good gracious, Nora——!
RANK
Say it—there he is!
NORA.
[_Hides the macaroons._] Hush—sh—sh
_HELMER comes out of his room, hat in hand, with his overcoat on his
arm._
NORA.
[_Going to him._] Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him?
HELMER.
Yes; he has just gone.
NORA.
Let me introduce you—this is Christina, who has come to town——
HELMER.
Christina? Pardon me, I don’t know——
NORA.
Mrs. Linden, Torvald dear—Christina Linden.
HELMER.
[_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] Indeed! A school-friend of my wife’s, no doubt?
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes; we knew each other as girls.
NORA.
And only think! she has taken this long journey on purpose to speak to
you.
HELMER.
To speak to me!
MRS. LINDEN.
Well, not quite——
NORA.
You see, Christina is tremendously clever at office-work, and she’s so
anxious to work under a first-rate man of business in order to learn
still more——
HELMER.
[_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] Very sensible indeed.
NORA.
And when she heard you were appointed manager—it was telegraphed, you
know—she started off at once, and——Torvald, dear, for my sake, you must
do something for Christina. Now can’t you?
HELMER.
It’s not impossible. I presume Mrs. Linden is a widow?
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes.
HELMER.
And you have already had some experience of business?
MRS. LINDEN.
A good deal.
HELMER.
Well, then, it’s very likely I may be able to find a place for you.
NORA.
[_Clapping her hands._] There now! There now!
HELMER.
You have come at a fortunate moment, Mrs. Linden.
MRS. LINDEN.
Oh, how can I thank you——?
HELMER.
[_Smiling._] There is no occasion. [_Puts on his overcoat._] But for the
present you must excuse me——
RANK.
Wait; I am going with you.
[_Fetches his fur coat from the hall and warms it at the fire._
NORA.
Don’t be long, Torvald dear.
HELMER.
Only an hour; not more.
NORA.
Are you going too, Christina?
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Putting on her walking things._] Yes; I must set about looking for
lodgings.
HELMER.
Then perhaps we can go together?
NORA.
[_Helping her._] What a pity we haven’t a spare room for you; but it’s
impossible——
MRS. LINDEN.
I shouldn’t think of troubling you. Good-bye, dear Nora, and thank you
for all your kindness.
NORA.
Good-bye for the present. Of course you’ll come back this evening. And
you, too, Doctor Rank. What! If you’re well enough? Of course you’ll be
well enough. Only wrap up warmly. [_They go out, talking, into the hall.
Outside on the stairs are heard children’s voices._] There they are!
There they are! [_She runs to the outer door and opens it. The nurse
ANNA, enters the hall with the children._] Come in! Come in! [_Stoops
down and kisses the children._] Oh, my sweet darlings! Do you see them,
Christina? Aren’t they lovely?
RANK.
Don’t let us stand here chattering in the draught.
HELMER.
Come, Mrs. Linden; only mothers can stand such a temperature.
[DR. RANK, HELMER, _and_ MRS. LINDEN _go down the stairs;_ ANNA
_enters the room with the children;_ NORA _also, shutting
the door._
NORA.
How fresh and bright you look! And what red cheeks you’ve got! Like
apples and roses. [_The children chatter to her during what follows._]
Have you had great fun? That’s splendid! Oh, really! You’ve been giving
Emmy and Bob a ride on your sledge!—both at once, only think! Why,
you’re quite a man, Ivar. Oh, give her to me a little, Anna. My sweet
little dolly! [_Takes the smallest from the nurse and dances with her._]
Yes, yes; mother will dance with Bob too. What! Did you have a game of
snowballs? Oh, I wish I’d been there. No; leave them, Anna; I’ll take
their things off. Oh, yes, let me do it; it’s such fun. Go to the
nursery; you look frozen. You’ll find some hot coffee on the stove.
[_The_ NURSE _goes into the room on the left._ NORA _takes off
the children’s things and throws them down anywhere, while
the children talk all together._
Really! A big dog ran after you? But he didn’t bite you? No; dogs don’t
bite dear little dolly children. Don’t peep into those parcels, Ivar.
What is it? Wouldn’t you like to know? Take care—it’ll bite! What? Shall
we have a game? What shall we play at? Hide-and-seek? Yes, let’s play
hide-and-seek. Bob shall hide first. Am I to? Yes, let me hide first.
[_She and the children play, with laughter and shouting, in the
room and the adjacent one to the right. At last_ NORA _hides
under the table; the children come rushing in, look for her,
but cannot find her, hear her half-choked laughter, rush to
the table, lift up the cover and see her. Loud shouts. She
creeps out, as though to frighten them. Fresh shouts.
Meanwhile there has been a knock at the door leading into
the hall. No one has heard it. Now the door is half opened
and_ KROGSTAD _appears. He waits a little; the game is
renewed._
KROGSTAD.
I beg your pardon, Mrs. Helmer——
NORA.
[_With a suppressed cry, turns round and half jumps up._] Ah! What do
you want?
KROGSTAD.
Excuse me; the outer door was ajar—somebody must have forgotten to shut
it——
NORA.
[_Standing up._] My husband is not at home, Mr. Krogstad.
KROGSTAD.
I know it.
NORA.
Then what do you want here?
KROGSTAD.
To say a few words to you.
NORA.
To me? [_To the children, softly._] Go in to Anna. What? No, the strange
man won’t hurt mamma. When he’s gone we’ll go on playing. [_She leads
the children into the left-hand room, and shuts the door behind them.
Uneasy, in suspense._] It is to me you wish to speak?
KROGSTAD.
Yes, to you.
NORA.
To-day? But it’s not the first yet——
KROGSTAD.
No, to-day is Christmas Eve. It will depend upon yourself whether you
have a merry Christmas.
NORA.
What do you want? I’m not ready to-day——
KROGSTAD.
Never mind that just now. I have come about another matter. You have a
minute to spare?
NORA.
Oh, yes, I suppose so; although——
KROGSTAD.
Good. I was sitting in the restaurant opposite, and I saw your husband
go down the street——
NORA.
Well?
KROGSTAD.
——with a lady
NORA.
What then?
KROGSTAD.
May I ask if the lady was a Mrs. Linden?
NORA.
Yes.
KROGSTAD.
Who has just come to town?
NORA.
Yes. To-day.
KROGSTAD.
I believe she is an intimate friend of yours?
NORA.
Certainly. But I don’t understand——
KROGSTAD.
I used to know her too.
NORA.
I know you did.
KROGSTAD.
Ah! You know all about it. I thought as much. Now, frankly, is Mrs.
Linden to have a place in the Bank?
NORA.
How dare you catechise me in this way, Mr. Krogstad—you, a subordinate
of my husband’s? But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs. Linden is
to be employed. And it is I who recommended her, Mr. Krogstad. Now you
know.
KROGSTAD.
Then my guess was right.
NORA.
[_Walking up and down._] You see one has a wee bit of influence, after
all. It doesn’t follow because one’s only a woman——When people are in a
subordinate position, Mr. Krogstad, they ought really to be careful how
they offend anybody who—h’m——
KROGSTAD.
——who has influence?
NORA.
Exactly.
KROGSTAD.
[_Taking another tone._] Mrs. Helmer, will you have the kindness to
employ your influence on my behalf?
NORA.
What? How do you mean?
KROGSTAD.
Will you be so good as to see that I retain my subordinate position in
the Bank?
NORA.
What do you mean? Who wants to take it from you?
KROGSTAD.
Oh, you needn’t pretend ignorance. I can very well understand that it
cannot be pleasant for your friend to meet me; and I can also understand
now for whose sake I am to be hounded out.
NORA.
But I assure you——
KROGSTAD.
Come come now, once for all: there is time yet, and I advise you to use
your influence to prevent it.
NORA.
But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence—absolutely none.
KROGSTAD.