The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen (2024)

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.]

ACT I

[SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but notextravagantly. 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 apiano. 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 theright-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearerthe footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stoveand the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china andother small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors arecarpeted, 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 andcarries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. Sheleaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who iscarrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who hasopened the door.]

NORA.
Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see ituntil this evening, when it is dressed. [To the PORTER, taking out herpurse.] How much?

PORTER.
Sixpence.

NORA.
There is a shilling. No, keep the change. [The PORTER thanks her, and goesout. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hatand 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 isin. [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 hermouth.] Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.

HELMER.
Don’t disturb me. [A little later, he opens the door and looks intothe room, pen in hand.] Bought, did you say? All these things? Has mylittle spendthrift been wasting money again?

NORA.
Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This isthe 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 atiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots ofmoney.

HELMER.
Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salaryis due.

NORA.
Pooh! we can borrow until then.

HELMER.
Nora! [Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear.] The samelittle featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and youspent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year’s Eve a slatefell on my head and killed me, and—

NORA.
[putting her hands over his mouth]. Oh! don’t say such horridthings.

HELMER.
Still, suppose that happened,—what then?

NORA.
If that were to happen, I don’t suppose I should care whether I owedmoney 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. Nodebt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life thatdepends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road sofar, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there needbe 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 hispurse.] 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 knowwhat 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. Andall so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and atrumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they arevery plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here aredress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to havesomething 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 likefor 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 particularlylike 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]. Ifyou 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 muchas 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 beautifulgilt 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 shallhave 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 saveout of the money I give you, and then really buy something for yourself. But ifyou spend it all on the housekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, thenI merely have to pay up again.

NORA.
Oh but, Torvald—

HELMER.
You can’t deny it, my dear little Nora. [Puts his arm round herwaist.] It’s a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal ofmoney. 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 youcan’t save anything!

NORA.
[smiling quietly and happily]. You haven’t any idea how manyexpenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.

HELMER.
You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new wayof wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, it seems to meltin your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you asyou are. It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit thesethings, 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 littleskylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking rather—whatshall 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 breakingrules 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 againstyour wishes.

HELMER.
No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word— [Going up toher.] Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They willall 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 goodwine. 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 bigenough 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 shutyourself up every evening until long after midnight, making ornaments for theChristmas 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 thecat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces?

HELMER.
Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentionsto please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing thatour 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’truin 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.] NowI 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’ssome 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 intravelling 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 seemto—[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—[Ina 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 ahappy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, andhave 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 havesuch 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, takethis 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—Youare 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. [Stopssuddenly 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 sooften to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something alwaysprevented me.

MRS LINDE.
I quite understand, dear.

NORA.
It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. Andhe 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 lovelychildren. 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 thinkof your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we havejust 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 Torvaldhas never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imaginehow pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the Bank at the New Year, andthen he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we canlive quite differently—we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved andso happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need tohave 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 ourschooldays you were a great spendthrift.

NORA.
[laughing]. Yes, that is what Torvald says now. [Wags her finger ather.] But “Nora, Nora” is not so silly as you think. We havenot 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 ofthing. [Dropping her voice.] And other things as well. You know Torvaldleft 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 heover-worked himself dreadfully. You see, he had to make money every way hecould, and he worked early and late; but he couldn’t stand it, and felldreadfully 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 Ivarwas 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 expectinglittle Ivar’s birth every day and I had my poor sick Torvald to lookafter. My dear, kind father—I never saw him again, Christine. That wasthe 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 westarted 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 thedoctor?

NORA.
Yes, that was Doctor Rank, but he doesn’t come here professionally. He isour greatest friend, and comes in at least once every day. No, Torvald has nothad an hour’s illness since then, and our children are strong and healthyand 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 talkingof nothing but my own affairs. [Sits on a stool near her, and rests her armson her knees.] You mustn’t be angry with me. Tell me, is it reallytrue 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 providefor my two younger brothers; so I did not think I was justified in refusing hisoffer.

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 longworking-day, with no rest. Now it is at an end, Nora. My poor mother needs meno more, for she is gone; and the boys do not need me either; they have gotsituations 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 mylittle backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier here to find somethingwhich will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luckto get some regular work—office work of some kind—

NORA.
But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. Youhad far better go away to some watering-place.

MRS LINDE.
[walking to the window]. I have no father to give me money for ajourney, 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. Theworst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to workfor, 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 fortuneshave taken—you will hardly believe it—I was delighted not so muchon your account as on my own.

NORA.
How do you mean?—Oh, I understand. You mean that perhaps Torvald couldget 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 verycleverly—I will think of something that will please him very much. Itwill 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 ofthing!—You are a child, Nora.

NORA.
[tosses her head and crosses the stage]. You ought not to be sosuperior.

MRS LINDE.
No?

NORA.
You are just like the others. They all think that I am incapable of anythingreally 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 toldyou 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 areproud, 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 proudand glad to think that I was privileged to make the end of my mother’slife 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 andglad 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 anyaccount—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 youthat I too have something to be proud and glad of. It was I who savedTorvald’s life.

MRS LINDE.
“Saved”? How?

NORA.
I told you about our trip to Italy. Torvald would never have recovered if hehad 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 inthat.

MRS LINDE.
But where did you get it from, then? Nora [humming and smiling with an airof 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 forbusiness—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 havegot it some other way. [Lies back on the sofa.] Perhaps I got it fromsome 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 adangerous condition he was in. It was to me that the doctors came and said thathis life was in danger, and that the only thing to save him was to live in thesouth. Do you suppose I didn’t try, first of all, to get what I wanted asif it were for myself? I told him how much I should love to travel abroad likeother young wives; I tried tears and entreaties with him; I told him that heought to remember the condition I was in, and that he ought to be kind andindulgent to me; I even hinted that he might raise a loan. That nearly made himangry, Christine. He said I was thoughtless, and that it was his duty as myhusband not to indulge me in my whims and caprices—as I believe he calledthem. Very well, I thought, you must be saved—and that was how I came todevise a way out of the difficulty—

MRS LINDE.
And did your husband never get to know from your father that the money had notcome from him?

NORA.
No, never. Papa died just at that time. I had meant to let him into the secretand beg him never to reveal it. But he was so ill then—alas, there neverwas 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 opinionsabout these things! And besides, how painful and humiliating it would be forTorvald, with his manly independence, to know that he owed me anything! Itwould upset our mutual relations altogether; our beautiful happy home would nolonger 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, aftermany years, when I am no longer as nice-looking as I am now. Don’t laughat me! I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as devoted to me as he isnow; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have palled on him; then itmay 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 greatsecret, Christine? Do you still think I am of no use? I can tell you, too, thatthis affair has caused me a lot of worry. It has been by no means easy for meto meet my engagements punctually. I may tell you that there is something thatis called, in business, quarterly interest, and another thing called payment ininstallments, and it is always so dreadfully difficult to manage them. I havehad to save a little here and there, where I could, you understand. I have notbeen able to put aside much from my housekeeping money, for Torvald must have agood table. I couldn’t let my children be shabbily dressed; I have feltobliged 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 hasgiven me money for new dresses and such things, I have never spent more thanhalf of it; I have always bought the simplest and cheapest things. ThankHeaven, any clothes look well on me, and so Torvald has never noticed it. Butit was often very hard on me, Christine—because it is delightful to bereally well dressed, isn’t it?

MRS LINDE.
Quite so.

NORA.
Well, then I have found other ways of earning money. Last winter I was luckyenough to get a lot of copying to do; so I locked myself up and sat writingevery 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 earningmoney. 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 anaccount of a business matter of that kind. I only know that I have paid everypenny 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 gentlemanhad 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 itcontained, written in big letters, the instruction: “The lovely Mrs NoraHelmer 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 Icouldn’t think of any way of procuring money. But it’s all the samenow; the tiresome old person can stay where he is, as far as I am concerned; Idon’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 beable to play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the housebeautifully 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 totake a little trip—perhaps I shall see the sea again! Oh, it’s awonderful 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 tosee 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, andturns 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 yourhusband 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 andshuts the door into the hall; then comes back and makes up the fire in thestove.]

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 inour 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 thestove 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’tlet us think of business; it is so tiresome.

DOCTOR RANK.
[comes out of HELMER’S study. Before he shuts the door he calls tohim]. No, my dear fellow, I won’t disturb you; I would rather go into your wife for a little while. [Shuts the door and sees Mrs LINDE.] Ibeg 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 youon 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 yourselfwith 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 aspossible. All my patients are like that. And so are those who are morallydiseased; one of them, and a bad case too, is at this very moment withHelmer—

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. Hesuffers from a diseased moral character, Mrs Helmer; but even he began talkingof 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 hadanything to do with the Bank.

RANK.
Yes, he has some sort of appointment there. [To Mrs Linde.] Idon’t know whether you find also in your part of the world that there arecertain people who go zealously snuffing about to smell out moral corruption,and, as soon as they have found some, put the person concerned into somelucrative position where they can keep their eye on him. Healthy natures areleft 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 sentimentthat is turning Society into a sick-house.

[NORA, who has been absorbed in her thoughts, breaks out into smotheredlaughter 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 quitedifferent, something extremely amusing. Tell me, Doctor Rank, are all thepeople 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 theroom.] It’s perfectly glorious to think that we have—thatTorvald has so much power over so many people. [Takes the packet from herpocket.] 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 hadforbidden 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, DoctorRank? By your leave! [Puts a macaroon into his mouth.] You must have onetoo, 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 theworld 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 ityou 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 frightfullyanxious 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 newswas 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 excuseme—

RANK.
Wait a minute; I will come with you. [Brings his fur coat from the hall andwarms 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 amafraid 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 youtoo, Dr. Rank. What do you say? If you are well enough? Oh, you must be! Wrapyourself 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 comesin 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 thechildren; NORA shuts the hall door.]

NORA.
How fresh and well you look! Such red cheeks like apples and roses. [Thechildren all talk at once while she speaks to them.] Have you had greatfun? That’s splendid! What, you pulled both Emmy and Bob along on thesledge? —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 thebaby from the MAID and dances it up and down.] Yes, yes, mother will dancewith 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. Goin 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 thechildren’s things and throws them about, while they all talk to her atonce.]

NORA.
Really! Did a big dog run after you? But it didn’t bite you? No, dogsdon’t bite nice little dolly children. You mustn’t look at theparcels, 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 weplay at? Hide and Seek? Yes, we’ll play Hide and Seek. Bob shall hidefirst. Must I hide? Very well, I’ll hide first. [She and the childrenlaugh and shout, and romp in and out of the room; at last NORA hides under thetable, the children rush in and out for her, but do not see her; they hear hersmothered laughter, run to the table, lift up the cloth and find her. Shouts oflaughter. 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 noticedit. The door is half opened, and KROGSTAD appears, he waits a little; the gamegoes on.]

KROGSTAD.
Excuse me, Mrs Helmer.

NORA.
[with a stifled cry, turns round and gets up on to her knees]. Ah! whatdo 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, thestrange man won’t do mother any harm. When he has gone we will haveanother game. [She takes the children into the room on the left, and shutsthe 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 aChristmas 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. Ipresume 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 thestreet—

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 theBank?

NORA.
What right have you to question me, Mr. Krogstad?—You, one of myhusband’s subordinates! But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs Lindeis 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 ofinfluence, I should hope. Because one is a woman, it does not necessarilyfollow 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 yourinfluence 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 positionin 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 quiteunderstand that your friend is not very anxious to expose herself to the chanceof rubbing shoulders with me; and I quite understand, too, whom I have to thankfor being turned off.

NORA.
But I assure you—

KROGSTAD.
Very likely; but, to come to the point, the time has come when I should adviseyou 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 shouldmake 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 heis 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 avery short time be free of the whole thing.

KROGSTAD.
[controlling himself]. Listen to me, Mrs Helmer. If necessary, I amprepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fighting for mylife.

NORA.
So it seems.

KROGSTAD.
It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that weighs least with me inthe matter. There is another reason—well, I may as well tell you. Myposition is this. I daresay you know, like everybody else, that once, manyyears 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 afterthat. 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 mustcut myself free from all that. My sons are growing up; for their sake I musttry and win back as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the Bankwas like the first step up for me—and now your husband is going to kickme downstairs again into the mud.

NORA.
But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to help you atall.

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 hislearning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an ugly, clumsyway—that he should learn it from you! And it would put me in a horriblydisagreeable position—

KROGSTAD.
Only disagreeable?

NORA.
[impetuously]. Well, do it, then!—and it will be the worse foryou. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and youcertainly won’t keep your post then.

KROGSTAD.
I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that you were afraidof?

NORA.
If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once pay you what isstill 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 verybad memory or you know very little of business. I shall be obliged to remindyou of a few details.

NORA.
What do you mean?

KROGSTAD.
When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow two hundred and fiftypounds.

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 sotaken up with your husband’s illness, and you were so anxious to get themoney for your journey, that you seem to have paid no attention to theconditions of our bargain. Therefore it will not be amiss if I remind you ofthem. Now, I promised to get the money on the security of a bond which I drewup.

NORA.
Yes, and which I signed.

KROGSTAD.
Good. But below your signature there were a few lines constituting your fathera 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 haveinserted 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 youbrought me the bond with your father’s signature. And then I gave you themoney.

NORA.
Well, haven’t I been paying it off regularly?

KROGSTAD.
Fairly so, yes. But—to come back to the matter in hand—that musthave 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 fatherdied?—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 isa discrepancy [taking a paper from his pocket] which I cannot accountfor.

NORA.
What discrepancy? I don’t know—

KROGSTAD.
The discrepancy consists, Mrs Helmer, in the fact that your father signed thisbond 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 hasdated his signature the 2nd of October. It is a discrepancy, isn’t it?[NORA is silent.] Can you explain it to me? [NORA is stillsilent.] It is a remarkable thing, too, that the words “2nd ofOctober,” as well as the year, are not written in your father’shandwriting but in one that I think I know. Well, of course it can beexplained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and someoneelse may have dated it haphazard before they knew of his death. There is noharm 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, Ishould have had to tell him what the money was to be used for; and when he wasso ill himself I couldn’t tell him that my husband’s life was indanger—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; Icouldn’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 aboutyou at all. I couldn’t bear you, because you put so many heartlessdifficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerous condition my husbandwas in.

KROGSTAD.
Mrs Helmer, you evidently do not realise clearly what it is that you have beenguilty of. But I can assure you that my one false step, which lost me all myreputation, 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 saveyour 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 thispaper in court.

NORA.
I don’t believe it. Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dyingfather anxiety and care? Is a wife not to be allowed to save herhusband’s life? I don’t know much about law; but I am certain thatthere must be laws permitting such things as that. Have you no knowledge ofsuch 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 hadtogether—do you think I don’t understand that? Very well. Do as youplease. But let me tell you this—if I lose my position a second time, youshall 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 hethinks. [Begins to busy herself putting the children’s things inorder.] And yet—? No, it’s impossible! I did it forlove’s sake.

THE CHILDREN.
[in the doorway on the left]. Mother, the stranger man has gone outthrough the gate.

NORA.
Yes, dears, I know. But, don’t tell anyone about the stranger man. Do youhear? 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 shutsthe door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a piece of needleworkand 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—Thehorrible man! It’s all nonsense—there’s nothing wrong. Thetree 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 inwith 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 agood word for him.

NORA.
Yes.

HELMER.
And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were to conceal from methe 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 talkwith a man like that, and give him any sort of promise? And to tell me a lieinto the bargain?

NORA.
A lie—?

HELMER.
Didn’t you tell me no one had been here? [Shakes his finger ather.] My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird must have aclean beak to chirp with—no false notes! [Puts his arm round herwaist.] That is so, isn’t it? Yes, I am sure it is. [Lets hergo.] We will say no more about it. [Sits down by the stove.] Howwarm and snug it is here! [Turns over his papers.]

NORA.
[after a short pause, during which she busies herself with the ChristmasTree.] Torvald!

HELMER.
Yes.

NORA.
I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy-dress ball at theStenborgs’ 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 sosilly 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 youvery 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 necessarychanges in the staff and in the rearrangement of the work; and I must make useof the Christmas week for that, so as to have everything in order for the newyear.

NORA.
Then that was why this poor Krogstad—

HELMER.
Hm!

NORA.
[leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair]. If youhadn’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 atthe fancy-dress ball. Torvald, couldn’t you take me in hand and decidewhat 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 herrescue?

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.] Howpretty the red flowers look—. But, tell me, was it really something verybad 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 tocondemn 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 confessedhis fault and taken his punishment.

NORA.
Punishment—?

HELMER.
But Krogstad did nothing of that sort; he got himself out of it by a cunningtrick, 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 withevery one, how he has to wear a mask in the presence of those near and dear tohim, even before his own wife and children. And about the children—thatis the most terrible part of it all, Nora.

NORA.
How?

HELMER.
Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of ahome. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of the germs ofevil.

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. Almosteveryone 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 abad father’s would have the same result. Every lawyer is familiar withthe fact. This Krogstad, now, has been persistently poisoning his own childrenwith 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 mustpromise me not to plead his cause. Give me your hand on it. Come, come, what isthis? Give me your hand. There now, that’s settled. I assure you it wouldbe quite impossible for me to work with him; I literally feel physically illwhen I am in the company of such people.

NORA.
[takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side of the ChristmasTree]. 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 andread 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 hangup on the Tree. [Puts his hand on her head.] My precious littlesinging-bird! [He goes into his room and shuts the door after him.]

NORA.
[after a pause, whispers]. No, no—it isn’t true. It’simpossible; 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.]

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 dishevelledbranches. NORA’S cloak and hat are lying on the sofa. She is alone in theroom, walking about uneasily. She stops by the sofa and takes up hercloak.]

NORA.
[drops her cloak]. Someone is coming now! [Goes to the door andlistens.] No—it is no one. Of course, no one will come today,Christmas Day—nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps—[opens the doorand looks out]. No, nothing in the letterbox; it is quite empty. [Comesforward.] What rubbish! of course he can’t be in earnest about it.Such a thing couldn’t happen; it is impossible—I have three littlechildren.

[Enter the NURSE from the room on the left, carrying a big cardboardbox.]

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 wasbefore.

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 awayaltogether?

NURSE.
Good heavens!—went away altogether?

NORA.
Nurse, I want you to tell me something I have often wondered about—howcould 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 gotinto trouble should be glad to. Besides, that wicked man didn’t do asingle 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 whenshe was married.

NORA.
[putting her arms round her neck]. Dear old Anne, you were a good motherto 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—Whatnonsense I am talking! [Opens the box.] Go in to them. Now Imust—. 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 Idared go out. If only no one would come. If only I could be sure nothing wouldhappen here in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense! No one will come. Only Imustn’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 movementtowards the door, but stands irresolute.]

[Enter Mrs Linde from the hall, where she has taken off her cloak andhat.]

NORA.
Oh, it’s you, Christine. There is no one else out there, is there? Howgood 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 mewith. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Look here. Tomorrow evening there is tobe a fancy-dress ball at the Stenborgs’, who live above us; and Torvaldwants me to go as a Neapolitan fisher-girl, and dance the Tarantella that Ilearned 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 methere, 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 hereand 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 tellyou 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 eveningyesterday.

NORA.
[gets up, and crosses the stage]. Well, I don’t think yesterdaywas 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 andattractive.

MRS LINDE.
And so do you, it seems to me; you are not your father’s daughter fornothing. 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 avery dangerous disease. He has consumption of the spine, poor creature. Hisfather was a horrible man who committed all sorts of excesses; and that is whyhis son was sickly from childhood, do you understand?

MRS LINDE.
[dropping her sewing]. But, my dearest Nora, how do you know anythingabout such things?

NORA.
[walking about]. Pooh! When you have three children, you get visits nowand 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 greatfriend 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 kindof 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 namementioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your husbandhadn’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 wantsme absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem almost jealousif 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 hearingabout them.

MRS LINDE.
Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and I amolder than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let me tell youthis—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 admirerwho 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 youthe two hundred and fifty pounds?

NORA.
Are you out of your senses? How can you think of such a thing! A friend ofours, who comes here everyday! Do you realise what a horribly painful positionthat 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 amquite 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 Iam 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 backtoo. 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 mucheasier than a woman—

MRS LINDE.
One’s husband, yes.

NORA.
Nonsense! [Standing still.] When you pay off a debt you get your bondback, 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 nastydirty paper!

MRS LINDE.
[looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly]. Nora, youare 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’sTorvald 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 notgoing away from here until we have had it out with one another. [She goesinto 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 seeI 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 littlerogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. But I am not going to disturbyou; 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 intothe bank. [Turns to go into his room.]

NORA.
Torvald.

HELMER.
Yes.

NORA.
If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, veryprettily—?

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, anddo what she wants.

HELMER.
Speak plainly.

NORA.
Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising andfalling—

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 thismorning?

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 thebank.

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 dismisssome other clerk instead of Krogstad.

HELMER.
This is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose to give him athoughtless 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 fellowwrites in the most scurrilous newspapers; you have told me so yourself. He cando 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 maliciouscreatures 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 sentyou over to inquire into it, and if you had not been so kindly disposed andhelpful 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 welloff, so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no cares—youand 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 tokeep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Isit to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at hiswife’s bidding—

NORA.
And what if it did?

HELMER.
Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do yousuppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to letpeople think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? Ishould 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 inthe 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 wasone of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. Imay as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with oneanother. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when otherpeople are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopta familiar tone with me, and every minute it is “I say, Helmer, oldfellow!” and that sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful forme. 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 mustbe so too. Narrow-minded! Very well—I must put an end to this. [Goesto 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 tellhim 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 itfor my sake—for your own sake—for the children’s sake! Do youhear me, Torvald? Call her back! You don’t know what that letter canbring 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 aninsult to me. It is, indeed. Isn’t it an insult to think that I should beafraid of a starving quill-driver’s vengeance? But I forgive younevertheless, 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 darlingNora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength ifthey 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. Thatis how it shall be. [Caressing her.] Are you content now? There!There!—not these frightened dove’s eyes! The whole thing is onlythe wildest fancy!—Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella andpractise with your tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and shut thedoor, 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 willfind me. [Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shutsthe door after him.]

NORA.
[bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, andwhispers]. He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it inspite of everything.—No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather thanthat! Oh, for some help, some way out of it! [The door-bell rings.]Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that—anything, whatever it is! [Sheputs her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door andopens it. RANK is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the followingdialogue it begins to grow dark.]

NORA.
Good day, Doctor Rank. I knew your ring. But you mustn’t go in to Torvaldnow; 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 Ialways 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’texpect it to happen so soon.

NORA.
[gripping him by the arm]. What have you found out? Doctor Rank, youmust tell me.

RANK.
[sitting down by the stove]. It is all up with me. And it can’t behelped.

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 allmy patients, Mrs Helmer. Lately I have been taking stock of my internaleconomy. Bankrupt! Probably within a month I shall lie rotting in thechurchyard.

NORA.
What an ugly thing to say!

RANK.
The thing itself is cursedly ugly, and the worst of it is that I shall have toface so much more that is ugly before that. I shall only make one moreexamination of myself; when I have done that, I shall know pretty certainlywhen it will be that the horrors of dissolution will begin. There is somethingI want to tell you. Helmer’s refined nature gives him an unconquerabledisgust 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 soonas I am quite certain that the worst has come, I shall send you my card with ablack 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 goodhumour.

RANK.
With death stalking beside me?—To have to pay this penalty for anotherman’s sin? Is there any justice in that? And in every single family, inone way or another, some such inexorable retribution is being exacted—

NORA.
[putting her hands over her ears]. Rubbish! Do talk of somethingcheerful.

RANK.
Oh, it’s a mere laughing matter, the whole thing. My poor innocent spinehas to suffer for my father’s youthful amusem*nts.

NORA.
[sitting at the table on the left]. I suppose you mean that he was toopartial 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 shouldtake their revenge on our bones.

RANK.
Especially that they should revenge themselves on the unlucky bones of thosewho 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, deathmustn’t take you away from Torvald and me.

RANK.
It is a loss you would easily recover from. Those who are gone are soonforgotten.

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 roadto 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, thiswoman 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 youare! [Sits down on the sofa.] Be nice now, Doctor Rank, and tomorrow youwill see how beautifully I shall dance, and you can imagine I am doing it allfor you—and for Torvald too, of course. [Takes various things out ofthe box.] Doctor Rank, come and sit down here, and I will show yousomething.

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, buttomorrow—. No, no, no! you must only look at the feet. Oh well, you mayhave 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 earwith the stockings.] That’s to punish you. [Folds them upagain.]

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 asintimately as this, I cannot imagine for a moment what would have become of meif 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 obligedto 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 ofone’s gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret—nothing but anempty 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 meansadvice, and help, and a favour—

RANK.
The bigger a thing it is the better. I can’t conceive what it is youmean. 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 willtell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me toprevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; hewould never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me.

RANK.
[leaning towards her]. Nora—do you think he is the onlyone—?

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 bea 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 thestove.] 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 downon the table, and goes out.] Nora—Mrs Helmer—tell me, had youany idea of this?

NORA.
Oh, how do I know whether I had or whether I hadn’t? I really can’ttell you—To think you could be so clumsy, Doctor Rank! We were getting onso nicely.

RANK.
Well, at all events you know now that you can command me, body and soul. Sowon’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 dofor you whatever a man may do.

NORA.
You can do nothing for me now. Besides, I really don’t need any help atall. You will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. It reallyis so—of course it is! [Sits down in the rocking-chair, and looks athim with a smile.] You are a nice sort of man, DoctorRank!—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. Youknow 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 haveoften thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as inHelmer’s.

NORA.
Yes—you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom onewould 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 ittremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids’ room, because theynever moralised at all, and talked to each other about such entertainingthings.

RANK.
I see—it is their place I have taken.

NORA.
[jumping up and going to him]. Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never meantthat at all. But surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a littlelike 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’tknow 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 longas—

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 anythingabout 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 doorof HELMER’S room. The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts itafter 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 yourside, 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 dearTorvald 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 matterso carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that you have a little cleareridea, 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 daylong. A mere cashier, a quill-driver, a—well, a man like me—even hehas 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 onlywanted to tell you that you need not take this matter too seriously. In thefirst 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 shouldknow 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 thebalance 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 therewith 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 notconcerned in the matter shall have the slightest hint of it. So that if thethought 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 thecourage.

NORA.
[faintly]. No more had I.

KROGSTAD.
[in a tone of relief]. No, that’s it, isn’t it—youhadn’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 athome 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 somemeans 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 husbandfor, 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 nothad a hand in anything dishonourable, amid all that time I have been strugglingin most restricted circ*mstances. 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 takeninto favour again. I want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bankagain, 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 againwith him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be the manager’s righthand. 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 thespring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognisable, with yourhair fallen out—

NORA.
You can’t frighten me.

KROGSTAD.
Nor you me. People don’t do such things, Mrs Helmer. Besides, what usewould 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 amessage from him. And be sure you remember that it is your husband himself whohas 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. Heis 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 isnot going downstairs. Is he hesitating? Can he—? [A letter drops intothe box; then KROGSTAD’S footsteps are heard, until they die away as hegoes downstairs. NORA utters a stifled cry, and runs across the room to thetable by the sofa. A short pause.]

NORA.
In the letter-box. [Steals across to the hall door.] There itlies—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 iton—?

NORA.
[in a hoarse whisper]. Christine, come here.

MRS LINDE.
[throwing the dress down on the sofa]. What is the matter with you? Youlook so agitated!

NORA.
Come here. Do you see that letter? There, look—you can see it through theglass 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, thatmight 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 theresponsibility, 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 mymind at all; I am in my right senses now, and I tell you no one else has knownanything 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; itmustn’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 thebox.

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 Ican. [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 ownroom again? Come along, Rank, now you will see— [Halting in thedoorway.] 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 tohelp 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 aboutit—all the people—. You must give yourself up to me entirely thisevening. Not the tiniest bit of business—you mustn’t even take apen in your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear?

HELMER.
I promise. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at your service, youhelpless 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, playsthe 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 hastilydrapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of the stage andcalls out]. Now play for me! I am going to dance!

[HELMER plays and NORA dances. RANK stands by the piano behind HELMER, andlooks 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 herfrequent instructions. She does not seem to hear him; her hair comes down andfalls 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 havebelieved 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; youmustn’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 thatkind 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 tomorrownight, 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 fewmacaroons, Helen—lots, just for once!

HELMER.
Come, come, don’t be so wild and nervous. Be my own little skylark, asyou used.

NORA.
Yes, dear, I will. But go in now and you too, Doctor Rank. Christine, you musthelp me to do up my hair.

RANK.
[whispers to HELMER as they go out]. I suppose there isnothing—she is not expecting anything?

HELMER.
Far from it, my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more than this childishnervousness 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 issplendid 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 nextmidnight. Then the Tarantella will be over. Twenty-four and seven? Thirty-onehours to live.

HELMER.
[from the doorway on the right]. Where’s my little skylark?

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 hallstands open. Dance music is heard in the room above. Mrs Linde is sitting atthe table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she tries to read, but doesnot seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now and then she listens intentlyfor a sound at the outer door.]

MRS LINDE.
[looking at her watch]. Not yet—and the time is nearly up. If onlyhe does not—. [Listens again.] Ah, there he is. [Goes into thehall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on thestairs. 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. Comein; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the danceupstairs.

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 theworld—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turnsup?

MRS LINDE.
Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believethat 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 putan end to all that you felt for me.

KROGSTAD.
[wringing his hands]. So that was it. And all this—only for thesake of money!

MRS LINDE.
You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. Wecouldn’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’ssake.

MRS LINDE.
Indeed I don’t know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had the right todo it.

KROGSTAD.
[more gently]. When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground wentfrom under my feet. Look at me now—I am a shipwrecked man clinging to abit 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 wasgoing to take in the Bank.

KROGSTAD.
I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are you not going togive 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 taughtme 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 believein?

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 tomourn 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 ontheir 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, Ihave worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure. But now I am quitealone 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 mesomeone and something to work for.

KROGSTAD.
I don’t trust that. It is nothing but a woman’s overstrained senseof 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 itin 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 needeach other. Nils, I have faith in your real character—I can dare anythingtogether with you.

KROGSTAD.
[grasps her hands]. Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way toclear 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 awarewhat 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 bydespair.

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?—thatyou 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’tdo 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 hemust give me my letter back—that it only concerns my dismissal—thathe 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 meetyou here?

MRS LINDE.
In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed sincethen, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmermust know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have acomplete understanding between them, which is impossible with all thisconcealment and falsehood going on.

KROGSTAD.
Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can doin any case, and I shall do it at once.

MRS LINDE.
[listening]. You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are notsafe 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 outthrough the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remainsopen.]

MRS LINDE.
[tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready]. What adifference! what a difference! Someone to work for and live for—a home tobring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they would be quick andcome—[Listens.] Ah, there they are now. I must put on my things.[Takes up her hat and cloak. HELMER’S and NORA’S voices areheard outside; a key is turned, and HELMER brings NORA almost by force into thehall. She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her; he isin 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’twant 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 alonginto the room; you are catching cold standing there. [He brings her gentlyinto 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 Ithought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you.

HELMER.
[taking off NORA’S shawl]. Yes, take a good look at her. I thinkshe 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. Butshe is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What are we to do withher? 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 halfan hour.

HELMER.
Listen to her, Mrs Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and it had been atremendous success, as it deserved—although possibly the performance wasa trifle too realistic—a little more so, I mean, than was strictlycompatible with the limitations of art. But never mind about that! The chiefthing is, she had made a success—she had made a tremendous success. Doyou 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 littleCapri 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 apparitiondisappeared. An exit ought always to be effective, Mrs Linde; but that is whatI cannot make Nora understand. Pooh! this room is hot. [Throws his domino ona chair, and opens the door of his room.] Hullo! it’s all dark inhere. Oh, of course—excuse me—. [He goes in, and lights somecandles.]

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 musttell 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 embroiderythus in your left hand, and use the needle with the right—likethis—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 anddown—it has a sort of Chinese effect—. That was really excellentchampagne 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 willget home all right. I should be very happy to—but you haven’t anygreat distance to go. Goodnight, goodnight. [She goes out; he shuts the doorafter 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?—youreally 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 speakingreasonably. 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 delightfulto be at home by ourselves again, to be all alone with you—youfascinating, 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 thatis mine, all my very own?

NORA.
[going to the other side of the table]. You mustn’t say thingslike 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 arebeginning to go now. [In a lower voice.] Nora—soon the whole housewill 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 likethis, why I speak so little to you, keep away from you, and only send a stolenglance in your direction now and then?—do you know why I do that? It isbecause I make believe to myself that we are secretly in love, and you are mysecretly 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 youngshoulders—on your lovely neck—then I imagine that you are my youngbride and that we have just come from the wedding, and I am bringing you forthe first time into our home—to be alone with you for the firsttime—quite alone with my shy little darling! All this evening I havelonged for nothing but you. When I watched the seductive figures of theTarantella, my blood was on fire; I could endure it no longer, and that was whyI 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! Youwon’t—you won’t? Am I not your husband—? [A knock isheard 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.] Waita minute! [Unlocks the door.] Come, that’s kind of you not to passby our door.

RANK.
I thought I heard your voice, and felt as if I should like to look in. [Witha swift glance round.] Ah, yes!—these dear familiar rooms. You arevery 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 inthis world?—at any rate as much as one can, and as long as one can. Thewine was capital—

HELMER.
Especially the champagne.

RANK.
So you noticed that too? It is almost incredible how much I managed to putaway!

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 investigationtoday.

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 itafter 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 willbe?

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 youinvisible? 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 ofthe 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 nowgoodbye!

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 nodsto 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 pocketand 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 thenewspaper 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 themaid—. 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 intothe room and shuts the door into the hall. He holds out his hand full ofletters.] 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 putthem 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 uncomfortableidea! 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’tyou think so, Torvald?

HELMER.
[walking up and down]. He had so grown into our lives. I can’tthink of him as having gone out of them. He, with his sufferings and hisloneliness, was like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, perhapsit is best so. For him, anyway. [Standing still.] And perhaps for ustoo, Nora. We two are thrown quite upon each other now. [Puts his arms roundher.] My darling wife, I don’t feel as if I could hold you tightenough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened bysome 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 readyour 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 betweenus—the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds ofthat. 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. Sleepsound, Nora. Now I will read my letters through. [He takes his letters andgoes into his room, shutting the door after him.]

NORA.
[gropes distractedly about, seizes HELMER’S domino, throws it roundher, while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic whispers]. Never to see himagain. Never! Never! [Puts her shawl over her head.] Never to see mychildren again either—never again. Never! Never!—Ah! the icy, blackwater—the unfathomable depths—If only it were over! He has got itnow—now he is reading it. Goodbye, Torvald and my children! [She isabout to rush out through the hall, when HELMER opens his door hurriedly andstands 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 uponyourself.

HELMER.
No tragic airs, please. [Locks the hall door.] Here you shall stay andgive me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? Answer me! Do youunderstand what you have done?

NORA.
[looks steadily at him and says with a growing look of coldness in herface]. Yes, now I am beginning to understand thoroughly.

HELMER.
[walking about the room]. What a horrible awakening! All these eightyears—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 ofher.] I ought to have suspected that something of the sort would happen. Iought to have foreseen it. All your father’s want of principle—besilent!—all your father’s want of principle has come out in you. Noreligion, no morality, no sense of duty—. How I am punished for havingwinked 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 ishorrible to think of! I am in the power of an unscrupulous man; he can do whathe likes with me, ask anything he likes of me, give me any orders hepleases—I dare not refuse. And I must sink to such miserable depthsbecause 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 theslightest. He can make the affair known everywhere; and if he does, I may befalsely suspected of having been a party to your criminal action. Very likelypeople will think I was behind it all—that it was I who prompted you! AndI have to thank you for all this—you whom I have cherished during thewhole of our married life. Do you understand now what it is you have done forme?

NORA.
[coldly and quietly]. Yes.

HELMER.
It is so incredible that I can’t take it in. But we must come to someunderstanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I tell you. I must try andappease him some way or another. The matter must be hushed up at any cost. Andas for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just asbefore—but naturally only in the eyes of the world. You will still remainin my house, that is a matter of course. But I shall not allow you to bring upthe children; I dare not trust them to you. To think that I should be obligedto say so to one whom I have loved so dearly, and whom I still—. No, thatis all over. From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concernsus 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—? Canhe—? 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 fromhim. 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 maymean ruin for both of us. No, I must know. [Tears open the letter, runs hiseye 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 itonce 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 yourbond back. He says he regrets and repents—that a happy change in hislife—never mind what he says! We are saved, Nora! No one can do anythingto 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’tlook at it. The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. [Tearsup the bond and both letters, throws them all into the stove, and watches themburn.] There—now it doesn’t exist any longer. He says thatsince Christmas Eve you—. These must have been three dreadful days foryou, 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 callany 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. Youdon’t seem to realise that it is all over. What is this?—such acold, set face! My poor little Nora, I quite understand; you don’t feelas if you could believe that I have forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, I swearit; I have forgiven you everything. I know that what you did, you did out oflove for me.

NORA.
That is true.

HELMER.
You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had notsufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose you areany the less dear to me, because you don’t understand how to act on yourown 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 adouble attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hardthings I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everythingwas going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I haveforgiven you.

NORA.
Thank you for your forgiveness. [She goes out through the door to theright.]

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 makeyour mind easy again, my frightened little singing-bird. Be at rest, and feelsecure; I have broad wings to shelter you under. [Walks up and down by thedoor.] How warm and cosy our home is, Nora. Here is shelter for you; here Iwill protect you like a hunted dove that I have saved from a hawk’sclaws; I will bring peace to your poor beating heart. It will come, little bylittle, Nora, believe me. Tomorrow morning you will look upon it all quitedifferently; soon everything will be just as it was before. Very soon youwon’t need me to assure you that I have forgiven you; you will yourselffeel the certainty that I have done so. Can you suppose I should ever think ofsuch a thing as repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have no idea whata true man’s heart is like, Nora. There is something so indescribablysweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that he has forgiven hiswife—forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. It seems as if that hadmade 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 meafter 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 conscienceboth to you—. What is this? Not gone to bed? Have you changed yourthings?

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 thetable.]

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 understoodyou either—before tonight. No, you mustn’t interrupt me. You mustsimply 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 asstrange 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 thefirst time we two, you and I, husband and wife, have had a seriousconversation?

HELMER.
What do you mean by serious?

NORA.
In all these eight years—longer than that—from the very beginningof 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 worriesthat you could not help me to bear?

NORA.
I am not speaking about business matters. I say that we have never sat down inearnest 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 inthe world?

NORA.
[shaking her head]. You have never loved me. You have only thought itpleasant 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 hisopinion about everything, and so I had the same opinions; and if I differedfrom him I concealed the fact, because he would not have liked it. He called mehis doll-child, and he played with me just as I used to play with my dolls. Andwhen 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’shands into yours. You arranged everything according to your own taste, and so Igot the same tastes as you—or else I pretended to, I am really not quitesure which—I think sometimes the one and sometimes the other. When I lookback on it, it seems to me as if I had been living here like a poorwoman—just from hand to mouth. I have existed merely to perform tricksfor you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and papa have committed a greatsin 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 happyhere?

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 beennothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I waspapa’s doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls. I thought itgreat fun when you played with me, just as they thought it great fun when Iplayed with them. That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.

HELMER.
There is some truth in what you say—exaggerated and strained as your viewof it is. But for the future it shall be different. Playtime shall be over, andlesson-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 foryou.

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 nottrust 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 anothertask I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself—you are notthe man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I amgoing 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 forthe 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 whatbelongs 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 forme 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’tconsider 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 yourchildren?

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 areasonable human being, just as you are—or, at all events, that I musttry and become one. I know quite well, Torvald, that most people would thinkyou right, and that views of that kind are to be found in books; but I can nolonger content myself with what most people say, or with what is found inbooks. 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 reliableguide 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. Hetold us that religion was this, and that, and the other. When I am away fromall this, and am alone, I will look into that matter too. I will see if whatthe 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 youaright, let me try and awaken your conscience. I suppose you have some moralsense? Or—answer me—am I to think you have none?

NORA.
I assure you, Torvald, that is not an easy question to answer. I reallydon’t know. The thing perplexes me altogether. I only know that you and Ilook at it in quite a different light. I am learning, too, that the law isquite another thing from what I supposed; but I find it impossible to convincemyself that the law is right. According to it a woman has no right to spare herold dying father, or to save her husband’s life. I can’t believethat.

HELMER.
You talk like a child. You don’t understand the conditions of the worldin which you live.

NORA.
No, I don’t. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can makeout 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 yourchildren?

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 Icannot 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 hereany 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 verywell that wonderful things don’t happen every day. Then this horriblemisfortune came upon me; and then I felt quite certain that the wonderful thingwas 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 thisman’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 andtake 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, ofcourse not. But what would my assurances have been worth against yours? Thatwas the wonderful thing which I hoped for and feared; and it was to preventthat, that I wanted to kill myself.

HELMER.
I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bear sorrow and want foryour 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. Assoon 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 asyou were concerned it was exactly as if nothing at all had happened. Exactly asbefore, I was your little skylark, your doll, which you would in future treatwith doubly gentle care, because it was so brittle and fragile. [Gettingup.] Torvald—it was then it dawned upon me that for eight years I hadbeen 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 nodenying 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 understandthat idea.

NORA.
[going out to the right]. That makes it all the more certain that itmust be done. [She comes back with her cloak and hat and a small bag whichshe 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 strangeman’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 thelittle ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can beof 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’shouse, 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 feelyourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must beperfect 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 maidsknow all about everything in the house—better than I do. Tomorrow, afterI have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own things that Ibrought 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 wouldhave to happen.

HELMER.
Tell me what that would be!

NORA.
Both you and I would have to be so changed that—. Oh, Torvald, Idon’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 outthrough 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 hopeflashes across his mind.] The most wonderful thing of all—?

[The sound of a door shutting is heard from below.]