Bank.
HELMER.
My dear Nora, it’s his place I intend for Mrs. Linden.
NORA.
Yes, that’s so good of you. But instead of Krogstad, you could dismiss
some other clerk.
HELMER.
Why, this is incredible obstinacy! Because you have thoughtlessly
promised to put in a word for him, I am to——!
NORA.
It’s not that, Torvald. It’s for your own sake. This man writes for the
most scurrilous newspapers; you said so yourself. He can do you no end
of harm. I’m so terribly afraid of him——
HELMER.
Ah, I understand; it’s old recollections that are frightening you.
NORA.
What do you mean?
HELMER.
Of course you’re thinking of your father.
NORA.
Yes—yes, of course. Only think of the shameful slanders wicked people
used to write about father. I believe they would have got him dismissed
if you hadn’t been sent to look into the thing, and been kind to him,
and helped him.
HELMER.
My little Nora, between your father and me there is all the difference
in the world. Your father was not altogether unimpeachable. I am; and I
hope to remain so.
NORA.
Oh, no one knows what wicked men may hit upon. We could live so quietly
and happily now, in our cosy, peaceful home, you and I and the children,
Torvald! That’s why I beg and implore you——
HELMER.
And it is just by pleading his cause that you make it impossible for me
to keep him. It’s already known at the Bank that I intend to dismiss
Krogstad. If it were now reported that the new manager let himself be
turned round his wife’s little finger——
NORA.
What then?
HELMER.
Oh, nothing, so long as a wilful woman can have her way——! I am to make
myself a laughing-stock to the whole staff, and set people saying that I
am open to all sorts of outside influence? Take my word for it, I should
soon feel the consequences. And besides—there is one thing that makes
Krogstad impossible for me to work with——
NORA.
What thing?
HELMER.
I could perhaps have overlooked his moral failings at a pinch——
NORA.
Yes, couldn’t you, Torvald?
HELMER.
And I hear he is good at his work. But the fact is, he was a college
chum of mine—there was one of those rash friendships between us that
one so often repents of later. I may as well confess it at once—he
calls me by my Christian name;[9] and he is tactless enough to do it
even when others are present. He delights in putting on airs of
familiarity—Torvald here, Torvald there! I assure you it’s most
painful to me. He would make my position at the Bank perfectly
unendurable.
NORA.
Torvald, surely you’re not serious?
HELMER.
No? Why not?
NORA.
That’s such a petty reason.
HELMER.
What! Petty! Do you consider me petty!
NORA.
No, on the contrary, Torvald dear; and that’s just why——
HELMER.
Never mind; you call my motives petty; then I must be petty too. Petty!
Very well!—Now we’ll put an end to this, once for all. [_Goes to the
door into the hall and calls._] Ellen!
NORA.
What do you want?
HELMER.
[_Searching among his papers._] To settle the thing. [ELLEN _enters._]
Here; take this letter; give it to a messenger. See that he takes it at
once. The address is on it. Here’s the money.
ELLEN.
Very well, sir.
[_Goes with the letter._
HELMER.
[_Putting his papers together._] There, Madam Obstinacy.
NORA.
[_Breathless._] Torvald—what was in the letter?
HELMER.
Krogstad’s dismissal.
NORA.
Call it back again, Torvald! There’s still time. Oh, Torvald, call it
back again! For my sake, for your own, for the children’s sake! Do you
hear, Torvald? Do it! You don’t know what that letter may bring upon us
all.
HELMER.
Too late.
NORA.
Yes, too late.
HELMER.
My dear Nora, I forgive your anxiety, though it’s anything but
flattering to me. Why should you suppose that _I_ would be afraid of a
wretched scribbler’s spite? But I forgive you all the same, for it’s a
proof of your great love for me. [_Takes her in his arms._] That’s as it
should be, my own dear Nora. Let what will happen—when it comes to the
pinch, I shall have strength and courage enough. You shall see: my
shoulders are broad enough to bear the whole burden.
NORA.
[_Terror-struck._] What do you mean by that?
HELMER.
The whole burden, I say——
NORA.
[_With decision._] That you shall never, never do!
HELMER.
Very well; then we’ll share it, Nora, as man and wife. That is how it
should be. [_Petting her._] Are you satisfied now? Come, come, come,
don’t look like a scared dove. It’s all nothing—foolish fancies.—Now you
ought to play the tarantella through and practise with the tambourine. I
shall sit in my inner room and shut both doors, so that I shall hear
nothing. You can make as much noise as you please. [_Turns round in
doorway._] And when Rank comes, just tell him where I’m to be found.
[_He nods to her, and goes with his papers into his room,
closing the door._
NORA.
[_Bewildered with terror, stands as though rooted to the ground, and
whispers._] He would do it. Yes, he would do it. He would do it, in
spite of all the world.—No, never that, never, never! Anything rather
than that! Oh, for some way of escape! What shall I do——! [_Hall bell
rings._] Doctor Rank——!—Anything, anything, rather than——!
[NORA _draws her hands over her face, pulls herself together,
goes to the door and opens it._ RANK _stands outside hanging
up his fur coat. During what follows it begins to grow
dark._
NORA.
Good afternoon, Doctor Rank. I knew you by your ring. But you mustn’t go
to Torvald now. I believe he’s busy.
RANK.
And you?
[_Enters and closes the door._
NORA.
Oh, you know very well, I have always time for you.
RANK.
Thank you. I shall avail myself of your kindness as long as I can.
NORA.
What do you mean? As long as you can?
RANK.
Yes. Does _that_ frighten you?
NORA.
I think it’s an odd expression. Do you expect anything to happen?
RANK.
Something I have long been prepared for; but I didn’t think it would
come so soon.
NORA.
[_Catching at his arm._] What have you discovered? Doctor Rank, you must
tell me!
RANK.
[_Sitting down by the stove._] I am running down hill. There’s no help
for it.
NORA.
[_Draws a long breath of relief._] It’s _you_——?
RANK.
Who else should it be?—Why lie to one’s self? I am the most wretched of
all my patients, Mrs. Helmer. In these last days I have been auditing my
life-account—bankrupt! Perhaps before a month is over, I shall lie
rotting in the churchyard.
NORA.
Oh! What an ugly way to talk.
RANK.
The thing itself is so confoundedly ugly, you see. But the worst of it
is, so many other ugly things have to be gone through first. There is
only one last investigation to be made, and when that is over I shall
know pretty certainly when the break-up will begin. There’s one thing I
want to say to you: Helmer’s delicate nature shrinks so from all that is
horrible: I will not have him in my sick-room——
NORA.
But, Doctor Rank——
RANK.
I won’t have him, I say—not on any account! I shall lock my door against
him.—As soon as I am quite certain of the worst, I shall send you my
visiting-card with a black cross on it; and then you will know that the
final horror has begun.
NORA.
Why, you’re perfectly unreasonable to-day; and I did so want you to be
in a really good humour.
RANK.
With death staring me in the face?—And to suffer thus for another’s sin!
Where’s the justice of it? And in one way or another you can trace in
every family some such inexorable retribution——
NORA.
[_Stopping her ears._] Nonsense, nonsense! Now cheer up!
RANK.
Well, after all, the whole thing’s only worth laughing at. My poor
innocent spine must do penance for my father’s wild oats.
NORA.
[_At table, left._] I suppose he was too fond of asparagus and
Strasbourg pâté, wasn’t he?
RANK.
Yes; and truffles.
NORA.
Yes, truffles, to be sure. And oysters, I believe?
RANK.
Yes, oysters; oysters, of course.
NORA.
And then all the port and champagne! It’s sad that all these good things
should attack the spine.
RANK.
Especially when the luckless spine attacked never had any good of them.
NORA.
Ah, yes, that’s the worst of it.
RANK.
[_Looks at her searchingly._] H’m——
NORA.
[_A moment later._] Why did you smile?
RANK.
No; it was you that laughed.
NORA.
No; it was you that smiled, Dr. Rank.
RANK.
[_Standing up._] I see you’re deeper than I thought.
NORA.
I’m in such a crazy mood to-day.
RANK.
So it seems.
NORA.
[_With her hands on his shoulders._] Dear, dear Doctor Rank, death shall
not take you away from Torvald and me.
RANK.
Oh, you’ll easily get over the loss. The absent are soon forgotten.
NORA.
[_Looks at him anxiously._] Do you think so?
RANK.
People make fresh ties, and then——
NORA.
Who make fresh ties?
RANK.
You and Helmer will, when I am gone. You yourself are taking time by the
forelock, it seems to me. What was that Mrs. Linden doing here
yesterday?
NORA.
Oh!—you’re surely not jealous of poor Christina?
RANK.
Yes, I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I am out of the
way, this woman will perhaps——
NORA.
Hush! Not so loud! She’s in there.
RANK.
To-day as well? You see!
NORA.
Only to put my costume in order—dear me, how unreasonable you are!
[_Sits on sofa._] Now do be good, Doctor Rank! To-morrow you shall see
how beautifully I shall dance; and then you may fancy that I’m doing it
all to please you—and of course Torvald as well. [_Takes various things
out of box._] Doctor Rank, sit down here, and I’ll show you something.
RANK.
[_Sitting._] What is it?
NORA.
Look here! Look!
RANK.
Silk stockings.
NORA.
Flesh-coloured. Aren’t they lovely? It’s so dark here now; but
to-morrow——No, no, no; you must only look at the feet. Oh, well, I
suppose you may look at the rest too.
RANK.
H’m——
NORA.
What are you looking so critical about? Do you think they won’t fit me?
RANK.
I can’t possibly give any competent opinion on that point.
NORA.
[_Looking at him a moment._] For shame! [_Hits him lightly on the ear
with the stockings._] Take that.
[_Rolls them up again._
RANK.
And what other wonders am I to see?
NORA.
You sha’n’t see anything more; for you don’t behave nicely.
[_She hums a little and searches among the things._
RANK.
[_After a short silence._] When I sit here gossiping with you, I can’t
imagine—I simply cannot conceive—what would have become of me if I had
never entered this house.
NORA.
[_Smiling._] Yes, I think you do feel at home with us.
RANK.
[_More softly—looking straight before him._] And now to have to leave it
all——
NORA.
Nonsense. You sha’n’t leave us.
RANK.
[_In the same tone._] And not to be able to leave behind the slightest
token of gratitude; scarcely even a passing regret—nothing but an empty
place, that can be filled by the first comer.
NORA.
And if I were to ask you for——? No——
RANK.
For what?
NORA.
For a great proof of your friendship.
RANK.
Yes—yes?
NORA.
I mean—for a very, very great service——
RANK.
Would you really, for once, make me so happy?
NORA.
Oh, you don’t know what it is.
RANK.
Then tell me.
NORA.
No, I really can’t, Doctor Rank. It’s far, far too much—not only a
service, but help and advice besides——
RANK.
So much the better. I can’t think what you can mean. But go on. Don’t
you trust me?
NORA.
As I trust no one else. I know you are my best and truest friend. So I
will tell you. Well then, Doctor Rank, there is something you must help
me to prevent. You know how deeply, how wonderfully Torvald loves me; he
wouldn’t hesitate a moment to give his very life for my sake.
RANK.
[_Bending towards her._] Nora—do you think he is the only one who——?
NORA.
[_With a slight start._] Who——?
RANK.
Who would gladly give his life for you?
NORA.
[_Sadly._] Oh!
RANK.
I have sworn that you shall know it before I—go. I shall never find a
better opportunity.—Yes, Nora, now I have told you; and now you know
that you can trust me as you can no one else.
NORA.
[_Standing up; simply and calmly._] Let me pass, please.
RANK.
[_Makes way for her, but remains sitting._] Nora——
NORA.
[_In the doorway._] Ellen, bring the lamp. [_Crosses to the stove._] Oh
dear, Doctor Rank, that was too bad of you.
RANK.
[_Rising._] That I have loved you as deeply as—any one else? Was that
too bad of me?
NORA.
No, but that you should have told me so. It was so unnecessary——
RANK.
What do you mean? Did you know——?
[ELLEN _enters with the lamp; sets it on the table and goes out
again._
RANK.
Nora—Mrs. Helmer—I ask you, did you know?
NORA.
Oh, how can I tell what I knew or didn’t know? I really can’t say——How
could you be so clumsy, Doctor Rank? It was all so nice!
RANK.
Well, at any rate, you know now that I am at your service, body and
soul. And now, go on.
NORA.
[_Looking at him._] Go on—now?
RANK.
I beg you to tell me what you want.
NORA.
I can tell you nothing now.
RANK.
Yes, yes! You mustn’t punish me in that way. Let me do for you whatever
a man can.
NORA.
You can do nothing for me now.—Besides, I really want no help. You shall
see it was only my fancy. Yes, it must be so. Of course! [_Sits in the
rocking-chair, looks at him and smiles._] You are a nice person, Doctor
Rank! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, now that the lamp is on the table?
RANK.
No; not exactly. But perhaps I ought to go—for ever.
NORA.
No, indeed you mustn’t. Of course you must come and go as you’ve always
done. You know very well that Torvald can’t do without you.
RANK.
Yes, but you?
NORA.
Oh, you know I always like to have you here.
RANK.
That is just what led me astray. You are a riddle to me. It has often
seemed to me as if you liked being with me almost as much as being with
Helmer.
NORA.
Yes; don’t you see? There are people one loves, and others one likes to
talk to.
RANK.
Yes—there’s something in that.
NORA.
When I was a girl, of course I loved papa best. But it always delighted
me to steal into the servants’ room. In the first place they never
lectured me, and in the second it was such fun to hear them talk.
RANK.
Ah, I see; then it’s their place I have taken?
NORA.
[_Jumps up and hurries towards him._] Oh, my dear Doctor Rank, I don’t
mean that. But you understand, with Torvald it’s the same as with papa——
_ELLEN enters from the hall._
ELLEN.
Please, ma’am—— [_Whispers to_ NORA, _and gives her a card._]
NORA.
[_Glancing at card._] Ah! [_Puts it in her pocket._
RANK.
Anything wrong?
NORA.
No, no, not in the least. It’s only—it’s my new costume——
RANK.
Your costume. Why, it’s there.
NORA.
Oh, that one, yes. But this is another that—I have ordered it—Torvald
mustn’t know——
RANK.
Aha! So that’s the great secret.
NORA.
Yes, of course. Please go to him; he’s in the inner room. Do keep him
while I——
RANK.
Don’t be alarmed; he sha’n’t escape.
[_Goes into_ HELMER’S _room._
NORA.
[_To_ ELLEN.] Is he waiting in the kitchen?
ELLEN.
Yes, he came up the back stair——
NORA.
Didn’t you tell him I was engaged?
ELLEN.
Yes, but it was no use.
NORA.
He won’t go away?
ELLEN.
No, ma’am, not until he has spoken to you.
NORA.
Then let him come in; but quietly. And, Ellen—say nothing about it; it’s
a surprise for my husband.
ELLEN.
Oh, yes, ma’am, I understand. [_She goes out._
NORA.
It is coming! The dreadful thing is coming, after all. No, no, no, it
can never be; it shall not!
[_She goes to_ HELMER’S _door and slips the bolt._ ELLEN _opens
the hall door for_ KROGSTAD, _and shuts it after him. He
wears a travelling-coat, high boots, and a fur cap._
NORA.
[_Goes towards him._] Speak softly; my husband is at home.
KROGSTAD.
All right. That’s nothing to me.
NORA.
What do you want?
KROGSTAD.
A little information.
NORA.
Be quick, then. What is it?
KROGSTAD.
You know I have got my dismissal.
NORA.
I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought for you to the last, but
it was of no use.
KROGSTAD.
Does your husband care for you so little? He knows what I can bring upon
you, and yet he dares——
NORA.
How could you think I should tell him?
KROGSTAD.
Well, as a matter of fact, I didn’t think it. It wasn’t like my friend
Torvald Helmer to show so much courage——
NORA.
Mr. Krogstad, be good enough to speak respectfully of my husband.
KROGSTAD.
Certainly, with all due respect. But since you are so anxious to keep
the matter secret, I suppose you are a little clearer than yesterday as
to what you have done.
NORA.
Clearer than you could ever make me.
KROGSTAD.
Yes, such a bad lawyer as I——
NORA.
What is it you want?
KROGSTAD.
Only to see how you are getting on, Mrs. Helmer. I’ve been thinking
about you all day. Even a mere money-lender, a gutter-journalist, a—in
short, a creature like me—has a little bit of what people call feeling.
NORA.
Then show it; think of my little children.
KROGSTAD.
Did you and your husband think of mine? But enough of that. I only
wanted to tell you that you needn’t take this matter too seriously. I
shall not lodge any information, for the present.
NORA.
No, surely not. I knew you wouldn’t.
KROGSTAD.
The whole thing can be settled quite amicably. Nobody need know. It can
remain among us three.
NORA.
My husband must never know.
KROGSTAD.
How can you prevent it? Can you pay off the balance?
NORA.
No, not at once.
KROGSTAD.
Or have you any means of raising the money in the next few days?
NORA.
None—that I will make use of.
KROGSTAD.
And if you had, it would not help you now. If you offered me ever so
much money down, you should not get back your I.O.U.
NORA.
Tell me what you want to do with it.
KROGSTAD.
I only want to keep it—to have it in my possession. No outsider shall
hear anything of it. So, if you have any desperate scheme in your head——
NORA.
What if I have?
KROGSTAD.
If you should think of leaving your husband and children——
NORA.
What if I do?
KROGSTAD.
Or if you should think of—something worse——
NORA.
How do you know that?
KROGSTAD.
Put all that out of your head.
NORA.
How did you know what I had in my mind?
KROGSTAD.
Most of us think of _that_ at first. I thought of it, too; but I hadn’t
the courage——
NORA.
[_Tonelessly._] Nor I.
KROGSTAD.
[_Relieved._] No, one hasn’t. You haven’t the courage either, have you?
NORA.
I haven’t, I haven’t.
KROGSTAD.
Besides, it would be very foolish.—Just one domestic storm, and it’s all
over. I have a letter in my pocket for your husband——
NORA.
Telling him everything?
KROGSTAD.
Sparing you as much as possible.
NORA.
[_Quickly._] He must never read that letter. Tear it up. I will manage
to get the money somehow——
KROGSTAD.
Pardon me, Mrs. Helmer, but I believe I told you——
NORA.
Oh, I’m not talking about the money I owe you. Tell me how much you
demand from my husband—I will get it.
KROGSTAD.
I demand no money from your husband.
NORA.
What do you demand then?
KROGSTAD.
I will tell you. I want to regain my footing in the world. I want to
rise; and your husband shall help me to do it. For the last eighteen
months my record has been spotless; I have been in bitter need all the
time; but I was content to fight my way up, step by step. Now, I’ve been
thrust down again, and I will not be satisfied with merely being
reinstated as a matter of grace. I want to rise, I tell you. I must get
into the Bank again, in a higher position than before. Your husband
shall create a place on purpose for me——
NORA.
He will never do that!
KROGSTAD.
He will do it; I know him—he won’t dare to show fight! And when he and I
are together there, you shall soon see! Before a year is out I shall be
the manager’s right hand. It won’t be Torvald Helmer, but Nils Krogstad,
that manages the Joint Stock Bank.
NORA.
That shall never be.
KROGSTAD.
Perhaps you will——?
NORA.
Now I have the courage for it.
KROGSTAD.
Oh, you don’t frighten me! A sensitive, petted creature like you——
NORA.
You shall see, you shall see!
KROGSTAD.
Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, black water? And next spring
to come up again, ugly, hairless, unrecognisable——
NORA.
You can’t terrify me.
KROGSTAD.
Nor you me. People don’t do that sort of thing, Mrs. Helmer. And, after
all, what would be the use of it? I have your husband in my pocket, all
the same.
NORA.
Afterwards? When I am no longer——?
KROGSTAD.
You forget, your reputation remains in my hands! [NORA _stands
speechless and looks at him._] Well, now you are prepared. Do nothing
foolish. As soon as Helmer has received my letter, I shall expect to
hear from him. And remember that it is your husband himself who has
forced me back again into such paths. That I will never forgive him.
Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer.
[_Goes out through the hall._ NORA _hurries to the door, opens
it a little, and listens._
NORA.
He’s going. He’s not putting the letter into the box. No, no, it would
be impossible! [_Opens the door further and further._] What’s that. He’s
standing still; not going down stairs. Has he changed his mind? Is he——?
[_A letter falls into the box._ KROGSTAD’S _footsteps are heard
gradually receding down the stair._ NORA _utters a suppressed shriek,
and rushes forward towards the sofa-table; pause._] In the letter-box!
[_Slips shrinkingly up to the hall door._] There it lies.—Torvald,
Torvald—now we are lost!
_MRS. LINDEN enters from the left with the costume._
MRS. LINDEN.
There, I think it’s all right now. Shall we just try it on?
NORA.
[_Hoarsely and softly._] Christina, come here.
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Throws down the dress on the sofa._] What’s the matter? You look quite
distracted.
NORA.
Come here. Do you see that letter? There, see—through the glass of the
letter-box.
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes, yes, I see it.
NORA.
That letter is from Krogstad——
MRS. LINDEN.
Nora—it was Krogstad who lent you the money?
NORA.
Yes; and now Torvald will know everything.
MRS. LINDEN.
Believe me, Nora, it’s the best thing for both of you.
NORA.
You don’t know all yet. I have forged a name——
MRS. LINDEN.
Good heavens!
NORA.
Now, listen to me, Christina; you shall bear me witness——
MRS. LINDEN.
How “witness”? What am I to——?
NORA.
If I should go out of my mind—it might easily happen——
MRS. LINDEN.
Nora!
NORA.
Or if anything else should happen to me—so that I couldn’t be here——!
MRS. LINDEN.
Nora, Nora, you’re quite beside yourself!
NORA.
In case any one wanted to take it all upon himself—the whole blame—you
understand——
MRS. LINDEN.
Yes, yes; but how can you think——?
NORA.
You shall bear witness that it’s not true, Christina. I’m not out of my
mind at all; I know quite well what I’m saying; and I tell you nobody
else knew anything about it; I did the whole thing, I myself. Remember
that.
MRS. LINDEN.
I shall remember. But I don’t understand what you mean——
NORA.
Oh, how should you? It’s the miracle coming to pass.
MRS. LINDEN.
The miracle?
NORA.
Yes, the miracle. But it’s so terrible, Christina; it mustn’t happen for
all the world.
MRS. LINDEN.
I shall go straight to Krogstad and talk to him.
NORA.
Don’t; he’ll do you some harm.
MRS. LINDEN.
Once he would have done anything for me.
NORA.
He?
MRS. LINDEN.
Where does he live?
NORA.
Oh, how can I tell——? Yes—— [_Feels in_ _her pocket._] Here’s his card.
But the letter, the letter——!
HELMER.
[_Knocking outside._] Nora!
NORA.
[_Shrieks in terror._] Oh, what is it? What do you want?
HELMER.
Well, well, don’t be frightened. We’re not coming in; you’ve bolted the
door. Are you trying on your dress?
NORA.
Yes, yes, I’m trying it on. It suits me so well, Torvald.
MRS. LINDEN.
[_Who has read the card._] Why, he lives close by here.
NORA.
Yes, but it’s no use now. We are lost. The letter is there in the box.
MRS. LINDEN.
And your husband has the key?
NORA.
Always.
MRS. LINDEN
Krogstad must demand his letter back, unread. He must find some
pretext——
NORA.
But this is the very time when Torvald generally——
MRS. LINDEN.
Prevent him. Keep him occupied. I shall come back as quickly as I can.
[_She goes out hastily by the hall door._
NORA.
[_Opens_ HELMER’S _door and peeps in._] Torvald!
HELMER.
Well, may one come into one’s own room again at last? Come, Rank, we’ll
have a look—— [_In the doorway._] But how’s this?
NORA.
What, Torvald dear?
HELMER.
Rank led me to expect a grand transformation.
RANK.
[_In the doorway._] So I understood. I suppose I was mistaken.
NORA.
No, no one shall see me in my glory till to-morrow evening.
HELMER.
Why, Nora dear, you look so tired. Have you been practising too hard?
NORA.
No, I haven’t practised at all yet.
HELMER.
But you’ll have to——
NORA.
Oh yes, I must, I must! But, Torvald, I can’t get on at all without your
help. I’ve forgotten everything.
HELMER.
Oh, we shall soon freshen it up again.
NORA.
Yes, do help me, Torvald. You must promise me——Oh, I’m so nervous about
it. Before so many people——This evening you must give yourself up
entirely to me. You mustn’t do a stroke of work; you mustn’t even touch
a pen. Do promise, Torvald dear!
HELMER.