Chapter II: Part 2

And so he shall, Christina. Just you leave it all to me. I shall lead up to it beautifully!—I shall think of some delightful plan to put him in a good humour! Oh, I should so love to help you.

MRS. LINDEN.

How good of you, Nora, to stand by me so warmly! Doubly good in you, who know so little of the troubles and burdens of life.

NORA.

I? I know so little of——?

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Smiling._] Oh, well—a little fancy-work, and so forth.—You’re a child, Nora.

NORA.

[_Tosses her head and paces the room._] Oh, come, you mustn’t be so patronising!

MRS. LINDEN.

No?

NORA.

You’re like the rest. You all think I’m fit for nothing really serious——

MRS. LINDEN.

Well, well——

NORA.

You think I’ve had no troubles in this weary world.

MRS. LINDEN.

My dear Nora, you’ve just told me all your troubles.

NORA.

Pooh—those trifles! [_Softly._] I haven’t told you the great thing.

MRS. LINDEN.

The great thing? What do you mean?

NORA.

I know you look down upon me, Christina; but you have no right to. You are proud of having worked so hard and so long for your mother.

MRS. LINDEN.

I am sure I don’t look down upon any one; but it’s true I am both proud and glad when I remember that I was able to keep my mother’s last days free from care.

NORA.

And you’re proud to think of what you have done for your brothers, too.

MRS. LINDEN.

Have I not the right to be?

NORA.

Yes indeed. But now let me tell you, Christina—I, too, have something to be proud and glad of.

MRS. LINDEN.

I don’t doubt it. But what do you mean?

NORA.

Hush! Not so loud. Only think, if Torvald were to hear! He mustn’t—not for worlds! No one must know about it, Christina—no one but you.

MRS. LINDEN.

Why, what can it be?

NORA.

Come over here. [_Draws her down beside her on the sofa._] Yes, Christina—I, too, have something to be proud and glad of. I saved Torvald’s life.

MRS. LINDEN.

Saved his life? How?

NORA.

I told you about our going to Italy. Torvald would have died but for that.

MRS. LINDEN.

Well—and your father gave you the money.

NORA.

[_Smiling._] Yes, so Torvald and every one believes; but——

MRS. LINDEN.

But——?

NORA.

Papa didn’t give us one penny. It was _I_ that found the money.

MRS. LINDEN.

You? All that money?

NORA.

Twelve hundred dollars. Four thousand eight hundred crowns. What do you say to that?

MRS. LINDEN.

My dear Nora, how did you manage it? Did you win it in the lottery?

NORA.

[_Contemptuously_] In the lottery? Pooh! Any one could have done _that_!

MRS. LINDEN.

Then wherever did you get it from?

NORA.

[_Hums and smiles mysteriously._] H’m; tra-la-la-la!

MRS. LINDEN.

Of course you couldn’t borrow it.

NORA.

No? Why not?

MRS. LINDEN.

Why, a wife can’t borrow without her husband’s consent.

NORA.

[_Tossing her head._] Oh! when the wife has some idea of business, and knows how to set about things——

MRS. LINDEN.

But, Nora, I don’t understand——

NORA.

Well, you needn’t. I never said I borrowed the money. There are many ways I may have got it.

[_Throws herself back on the sofa._] I may have got it from some admirer. When one is so—attractive as I am——

MRS. LINDEN.

You’re too silly, Nora.

NORA.

Now I’m sure you’re dying of curiosity, Christina——

MRS. LINDEN.

Listen to me, Nora dear: haven’t you been a little rash?

NORA.

[_Sitting upright again._] Is it rash to save one’s husband’s life?

MRS. LINDEN.

I think it was rash of you, without his knowledge——

NORA.

But it would have been fatal for him to know! Can’t you understand that? He wasn’t even to suspect how ill he was. The doctors came to me privately and told me his life was in danger—that nothing could save him but a winter in the South. Do you think I didn’t try diplomacy first? I told him how I longed to have a trip abroad, like other young wives; I wept and prayed; I said he ought to think of my condition, and not to thwart me; and then I hinted that he could borrow the money. But then, Christina, he got almost angry. He said I was frivolous, and that it was his duty as a husband not to yield to my whims and fancies—so he called them. Very well, thought I, but saved you must be; and then I found the way to do it.

MRS. LINDEN.

And did your husband never learn from your father that the money was not from him?

NORA.

No; never. Papa died at that very time. I meant to have told him all about it, and begged him to say nothing. But he was so ill—unhappily, it wasn’t necessary.

MRS. LINDEN.

And you have never confessed to your husband?

NORA.

Good heavens! What can you be thinking of? _Tell him_, when he has such a loathing of debt! And besides—how painful and humiliating it would be for Torvald, with his manly self-respect, to know that he owed anything to me! It would utterly upset the relation between us; our beautiful, happy home would never again be what it is.

MRS. LINDEN.

Will you never tell him?

NORA.

[_Thoughtfully, half-smiling._] Yes, some time perhaps—many, many years hence, when I’m—not so pretty. You mustn’t laugh at me! Of course I mean when Torvald is not so much in love with me as he is now; when it doesn’t amuse him any longer to see me dancing about, and dressing up and acting. Then it might be well to have something in reserve. [_Breaking off._] Nonsense! nonsense! That time will never come. Now, what do you say to my grand secret, Christina? Am I fit for nothing now? You may believe it has cost me a lot of anxiety. It has been no joke to meet my engagements punctually. You must know, Christina, that in business there are things called instalments, and quarterly interest, that are terribly hard to provide for. So I’ve had to pinch a little here and there, wherever I could. I couldn’t save much out of the housekeeping, for of course Torvald had to live well. And I couldn’t let the children go about badly dressed; all I got for them, I spent on them, the blessed darlings!

MRS. LINDEN.

Poor Nora! So it had to come out of your own pocket-money.

NORA.

Yes, of course. After all, the whole thing was my doing. When Torvald gave me money for clothes, and so on, I never spent more than half of it; I always bought the simplest and cheapest things. It’s a mercy that everything suits me so well—Torvald never had any suspicions. But it was often very hard, Christina dear. For it’s nice to be beautifully dressed—now, isn’t it?

MRS. LINDEN.

Indeed it is.

NORA.

Well, and besides that, I made money in other ways. Last winter I was so lucky—I got a heap of copying to do. I shut myself up every evening and wrote far into the night. Oh, sometimes I was so tired, so tired. And yet it was splendid to work in that way and earn money. I almost felt as if I was a man.

MRS. LINDEN.

Then how much have you been able to pay off?

NORA.

Well, I can’t precisely say. It’s difficult to keep that sort of business clear. I only know that I’ve paid everything I could scrape together. Sometimes I really didn’t know where to turn. [_Smiles._] Then I used to sit here and pretend that a rich old gentleman was in love with me——

MRS. LINDEN.

What! What gentleman?

NORA.

Oh, nobody!—that he was dead now, and that when his will was opened, there stood in large letters: “Pay over at once everything of which I die possessed to that charming person, Mrs. Nora Helmer.”

MRS. LINDEN.

But, my dear Nora—what gentleman do you mean?

NORA.

Oh dear, can’t you understand? There wasn’t any old gentleman: it was only what I used to dream and dream when I was at my wits’ end for money. But it doesn’t matter now—the tiresome old creature may stay where he is for me. I care nothing for him or his will; for now my troubles are over. [_Springing up._] Oh, Christina, how glorious it is to think of! Free from all anxiety! Free, quite free. To be able to play and romp about with the children; to have things tasteful and pretty in the house, exactly as Torvald likes it! And then the spring will soon be here, with the great blue sky. Perhaps then we shall have a little holiday. Perhaps I shall see the sea again. Oh, what a wonderful thing it is to live and to be happy!

[_The hall-door bell rings._

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Rising._] There’s a ring. Perhaps I had better go.

NORA.

No; do stay. No one will come here. It’s sure to be some one for Torvald.

ELLEN.

[_In the doorway._] If you please, ma’am, there’s a gentleman to speak to Mr. Helmer.

NORA.

Who is the gentleman?

KROGSTAD.

[_In the doorway._] It is I, Mrs. Helmer.

[MRS. LINDEN _starts and turns away to the window._

NORA.

[_Goes a step towards him, anxiously, speaking low._] You? What is it? What do you want with my husband?

KROGSTAD.

Bank business—in a way. I hold a small post in the Joint Stock Bank, and your husband is to be our new chief, I hear.

NORA.

Then it is——?

KROGSTAD.

Only tiresome business, Mrs. Helmer; nothing more.

NORA.

Then will you please go to his study.

[KROGSTAD _goes. She bows indifferently while she closes the
door into the hall. Then she goes to the stove and looks to
the fire._

MRS. LINDEN.

Nora—who was that man?

NORA.

A Mr. Krogstad—a lawyer.

MRS. LINDEN.

Then it was really he?

NORA.

Do you know him?

MRS. LINDEN.

I used to know him—many years ago. He was in a lawyer’s office in our town.

NORA.

Yes, so he was.

MRS. LINDEN.

How he has changed!

NORA.

I believe his marriage was unhappy.

MRS. LINDEN.

And he is a widower now?

NORA.

With a lot of children. There! Now it will burn up.

[_She closes the stove, and pushes the rocking-chair a little
aside._

MRS. LINDEN.

His business is not of the most creditable, they say?

NORA.

Isn’t it? I daresay not. I don’t know. But don’t let us think of business—it’s so tiresome.

_DR. RANK comes out of HELMER’S room._

RANK.

[_Still in the doorway._] No, no; I’m in your way. I shall go and have a chat with your wife. [_Shuts the door and sees_ MRS. LINDEN.] Oh, I beg your pardon. I’m in the way here too.

NORA.

No, not in the least. [_Introduces them._] Doctor Rank—Mrs. Linden.

RANK.

Oh, indeed; I’ve often heard Mrs. Linden’s name; I think I passed you on the stairs as I came up.

MRS. LINDEN.

Yes; I go so very slowly. Stairs try me so much.

RANK.

Ah—you are not very strong?

MRS. LINDEN.

Only overworked.

RANK.

Nothing more? Then no doubt you’ve come to town to find rest in a round of dissipation?

MRS. LINDEN.

I have come to look for employment.

RANK.

Is that an approved remedy for overwork?

MRS. LINDEN.

One must live, Doctor Rank.

RANK.

Yes, that seems to be the general opinion.

NORA.

Come, Doctor Rank—you want to live yourself.

RANK.

To be sure I do. However wretched I may be, I want to drag on as long as possible. All my patients, too, have the same mania. And it’s the same with people whose complaint is moral. At this very moment Helmer is talking to just such a moral incurable——

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Softly._] Ah!

NORA.

Whom do you mean?

RANK.

Oh, a fellow named Krogstad, a man you know nothing about—corrupt to the very core of his character. But even he began by announcing, as a matter of vast importance, that he must live.

NORA.

Indeed? And what did he want with Torvald?

RANK.

I haven’t an idea; I only gathered that it was some bank business.

NORA.

I didn’t know that Krog—that this Mr. Krogstad had anything to do with the Bank?

RANK.

Yes. He has got some sort of place there. [_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] I don’t know whether, in your part of the country, you have people who go grubbing and sniffing around in search of moral rottenness—and then, when they have found a “case,” don’t rest till they have got their man into some good position, where they can keep a watch upon him. Men with a clean bill of health they leave out in the cold.

MRS. LINDEN.

Well, I suppose the—delicate characters require most care.

RANK.

[_Shrugs his shoulders._] There we have it! It’s that notion that makes society a hospital.

[NORA, _deep in her own thoughts, breaks into half-stifled
laughter and claps her hands._

RANK.

Why do you laugh at that? Have you any idea what “society” is?

NORA.

What do I care for your tiresome society? I was laughing at something else—something excessively amusing. Tell me, Doctor Rank, are all the employees at the Bank dependent on Torvald now?

RANK.

Is that what strikes you as excessively amusing?

NORA.

[_Smiles and hums._] Never mind, never mind! [_Walks about the room._] Yes, it is funny to think that we—that Torvald has such power over so many people. [_Takes the bag from her pocket._] Doctor Rank, will you have a macaroon?

RANK.

What!—macaroons! I thought they were contraband here.

NORA.

Yes; but Christina brought me these.

Mrs. Linden.

What! I——?

NORA.

Oh, well! Don’t be frightened. You couldn’t possibly know that Torvald had forbidden them. The fact is, he’s afraid of me spoiling my teeth. But, oh bother, just for once!—That’s for you, Doctor Rank! [_Puts a macaroon into his mouth._] And you too, Christina. And I’ll have one while we’re about it—only a tiny one, or at most two. [_Walks about again._] Oh dear, I am happy! There’s only one thing in the world I really want.

RANK.

Well; what’s that?

NORA.

There’s something I should so like to say—in Torvald’s hearing.

RANK.

Then why don’t you say it?

NORA.

Because I daren’t, it’s so ugly.

MRS. LINDEN.

Ugly?

RANK.

In that case you’d better not. But to us you might——What is it you would so like to say in Helmer’s hearing?

NORA.

I should so love to say “Damn it all!”[8]

RANK.

Are you out of your mind?

MRS. LINDEN.

Good gracious, Nora——!

RANK

Say it—there he is!

NORA.

[_Hides the macaroons._] Hush—sh—sh

_HELMER comes out of his room, hat in hand, with his overcoat on his
arm._

NORA.

[_Going to him._] Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him?

HELMER.

Yes; he has just gone.

NORA.

Let me introduce you—this is Christina, who has come to town——

HELMER.

Christina? Pardon me, I don’t know——

NORA.

Mrs. Linden, Torvald dear—Christina Linden.

HELMER.

[_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] Indeed! A school-friend of my wife’s, no doubt?

MRS. LINDEN.

Yes; we knew each other as girls.

NORA.

And only think! she has taken this long journey on purpose to speak to you.

HELMER.

To speak to me!

MRS. LINDEN.

Well, not quite——

NORA.

You see, Christina is tremendously clever at office-work, and she’s so anxious to work under a first-rate man of business in order to learn still more——

HELMER.

[_To_ MRS. LINDEN.] Very sensible indeed.

NORA.

And when she heard you were appointed manager—it was telegraphed, you know—she started off at once, and——Torvald, dear, for my sake, you must do something for Christina. Now can’t you?

HELMER.

It’s not impossible. I presume Mrs. Linden is a widow?

MRS. LINDEN.

Yes.

HELMER.

And you have already had some experience of business?

MRS. LINDEN.

A good deal.

HELMER.

Well, then, it’s very likely I may be able to find a place for you.

NORA.

[_Clapping her hands._] There now! There now!

HELMER.

You have come at a fortunate moment, Mrs. Linden.

MRS. LINDEN.

Oh, how can I thank you——?

HELMER.

[_Smiling._] There is no occasion. [_Puts on his overcoat._] But for the present you must excuse me——

RANK.

Wait; I am going with you.

[_Fetches his fur coat from the hall and warms it at the fire._

NORA.

Don’t be long, Torvald dear.

HELMER.

Only an hour; not more.

NORA.

Are you going too, Christina?

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Putting on her walking things._] Yes; I must set about looking for lodgings.

HELMER.

Then perhaps we can go together?

NORA.

[_Helping her._] What a pity we haven’t a spare room for you; but it’s impossible——

MRS. LINDEN.

I shouldn’t think of troubling you. Good-bye, dear Nora, and thank you for all your kindness.

NORA.

Good-bye for the present. Of course you’ll come back this evening. And you, too, Doctor Rank. What! If you’re well enough? Of course you’ll be well enough. Only wrap up warmly. [_They go out, talking, into the hall. Outside on the stairs are heard children’s voices._] There they are! There they are! [_She runs to the outer door and opens it. The nurse ANNA, enters the hall with the children._] Come in! Come in! [_Stoops down and kisses the children._] Oh, my sweet darlings! Do you see them, Christina? Aren’t they lovely?

RANK.

Don’t let us stand here chattering in the draught.

HELMER.

Come, Mrs. Linden; only mothers can stand such a temperature.

[DR. RANK, HELMER, _and_ MRS. LINDEN _go down the stairs;_ ANNA
_enters the room with the children;_ NORA _also, shutting
the door._

NORA.

How fresh and bright you look! And what red cheeks you’ve got! Like apples and roses. [_The children chatter to her during what follows._] Have you had great fun? That’s splendid! Oh, really! You’ve been giving Emmy and Bob a ride on your sledge!—both at once, only think! Why, you’re quite a man, Ivar. Oh, give her to me a little, Anna. My sweet little dolly! [_Takes the smallest from the nurse and dances with her._] Yes, yes; mother will dance with Bob too. What! Did you have a game of snowballs? Oh, I wish I’d been there. No; leave them, Anna; I’ll take their things off. Oh, yes, let me do it; it’s such fun. Go to the nursery; you look frozen. You’ll find some hot coffee on the stove.

[_The_ NURSE _goes into the room on the left._ NORA _takes off
the children’s things and throws them down anywhere, while
the children talk all together._

Really! A big dog ran after you? But he didn’t bite you? No; dogs don’t bite dear little dolly children. Don’t peep into those parcels, Ivar. What is it? Wouldn’t you like to know? Take care—it’ll bite! What? Shall we have a game? What shall we play at? Hide-and-seek? Yes, let’s play hide-and-seek. Bob shall hide first. Am I to? Yes, let me hide first.

[_She and the children play, with laughter and shouting, in the
room and the adjacent one to the right. At last_ NORA _hides
under the table; the children come rushing in, look for her,
but cannot find her, hear her half-choked laughter, rush to
the table, lift up the cover and see her. Loud shouts. She
creeps out, as though to frighten them. Fresh shouts.
Meanwhile there has been a knock at the door leading into
the hall. No one has heard it. Now the door is half opened
and_ KROGSTAD _appears. He waits a little; the game is
renewed._

KROGSTAD.

I beg your pardon, Mrs. Helmer——

NORA.

[_With a suppressed cry, turns round and half jumps up._] Ah! What do you want?

KROGSTAD.

Excuse me; the outer door was ajar—somebody must have forgotten to shut it——

NORA.

[_Standing up._] My husband is not at home, Mr. Krogstad.

KROGSTAD.

I know it.

NORA.

Then what do you want here?

KROGSTAD.

To say a few words to you.

NORA.

To me? [_To the children, softly._] Go in to Anna. What? No, the strange man won’t hurt mamma. When he’s gone we’ll go on playing. [_She leads the children into the left-hand room, and shuts the door behind them. Uneasy, in suspense._] It is to me you wish to speak?

KROGSTAD.

Yes, to you.

NORA.

To-day? But it’s not the first yet——

KROGSTAD.

No, to-day is Christmas Eve. It will depend upon yourself whether you have a merry Christmas.

NORA.

What do you want? I’m not ready to-day——

KROGSTAD.

Never mind that just now. I have come about another matter. You have a minute to spare?

NORA.

Oh, yes, I suppose so; although——

KROGSTAD.

Good. I was sitting in the restaurant opposite, and I saw your husband go down the street——

NORA.

Well?

KROGSTAD.

——with a lady

NORA.

What then?

KROGSTAD.

May I ask if the lady was a Mrs. Linden?

NORA.

Yes.

KROGSTAD.

Who has just come to town?

NORA.

Yes. To-day.

KROGSTAD.

I believe she is an intimate friend of yours?

NORA.

Certainly. But I don’t understand——

KROGSTAD.

I used to know her too.

NORA.

I know you did.

KROGSTAD.

Ah! You know all about it. I thought as much. Now, frankly, is Mrs. Linden to have a place in the Bank?

NORA.

How dare you catechise me in this way, Mr. Krogstad—you, a subordinate of my husband’s? But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs. Linden is to be employed. And it is I who recommended her, Mr. Krogstad. Now you know.

KROGSTAD.

Then my guess was right.

NORA.

[_Walking up and down._] You see one has a wee bit of influence, after all. It doesn’t follow because one’s only a woman——When people are in a subordinate position, Mr. Krogstad, they ought really to be careful how they offend anybody who—h’m——

KROGSTAD.

——who has influence?

NORA.

Exactly.

KROGSTAD.

[_Taking another tone._] Mrs. Helmer, will you have the kindness to employ your influence on my behalf?

NORA.

What? How do you mean?

KROGSTAD.

Will you be so good as to see that I retain my subordinate position in the Bank?

NORA.

What do you mean? Who wants to take it from you?

KROGSTAD.

Oh, you needn’t pretend ignorance. I can very well understand that it cannot be pleasant for your friend to meet me; and I can also understand now for whose sake I am to be hounded out.

NORA.

But I assure you——

KROGSTAD.

Come come now, once for all: there is time yet, and I advise you to use your influence to prevent it.

NORA.

But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence—absolutely none.

KROGSTAD.

None? I thought you said a moment ago——

NORA.

Of course not in that sense. I! How can you imagine that I should have any such influence over my husband?

KROGSTAD.

Oh, I know your husband from our college days. I don’t think he is any more inflexible than other husbands.

NORA.

If you talk disrespectfully of my husband, I must request you to leave the house.

KROGSTAD.

You are bold, madam.

NORA.

I am afraid of you no longer. When New Year’s Day is over, I shall soon be out of the whole business.

KROGSTAD.

[_Controlling himself._] Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If need be, I shall fight as though for my life to keep my little place in the Bank.

NORA.

Yes, so it seems.

KROGSTAD.

It’s not only for the salary: that is what I care least about. It’s something else——Well, I had better make a clean breast of it. Of course you know, like every one else, that some years ago I—got into trouble.

NORA.

I think I’ve heard something of the sort.

KROGSTAD.

The matter never came into court; but from that moment all paths were barred to me. Then I took up the business you know about. I had to turn my hand to something; and I don’t think I’ve been one of the worst. But now I must get clear of it all. My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try to recover my character as well as I can. This place in the Bank was the first step; and now your husband wants to kick me off the ladder, back into the mire.

NORA.

But I assure you, Mr. Krogstad, I haven’t the least power to help you.

KROGSTAD.

That is because you have not the will; but I can compel you.

NORA.

You won’t tell my husband that I owe you money?

KROGSTAD.

H’m; suppose I were to?

NORA.

It would be shameful of you. [_With tears in her voice._] The secret that is my joy and my pride—that he should learn it in such an ugly, coarse way—and from you. It would involve me in all sorts of unpleasantness——

KROGSTAD.

Only unpleasantness.

NORA.

[_Hotly._] But just do it. It’s you that will come off worst, for then my husband will see what a bad man you are, and then you certainly won’t keep your place.

KROGSTAD.

I asked whether it was only domestic unpleasantness you feared?

NORA.

If my husband gets to know about it, he will of course pay you off at once, and then we shall have nothing more to do with you.

KROGSTAD.

[_Coming a pace nearer._] Listen, Mrs. Helmer: either your memory is defective, or you don’t know much about business. I must make the position a little clearer to you.

NORA.

How so?

KROGSTAD.

When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow twelve hundred dollars.

NORA.

I knew of nobody else.

KROGSTAD.

I promised to find you the money——

NORA.

And you did find it.

KROGSTAD.

I promised to find you the money, on certain conditions. You were so much taken up at the time about your husband’s illness, and so eager to have the wherewithal for your journey, that you probably did not give much thought to the details. Allow me to remind you of them. I promised to find you the amount in exchange for a note of hand, which I drew up.

NORA.

Yes, and I signed it.

KROGSTAD.

Quite right. But then I added a few lines, making your father security for the debt. Your father was to sign this.

NORA.

Was to——? He did sign it!

KROGSTAD.

I had left the date blank. That is to say, your father was himself to date his signature. Do you recollect that?

NORA.

Yes, I believe——

KROGSTAD.

Then I gave you the paper to send to your father, by post. Is not that so?

NORA.

Yes.

KROGSTAD.

And of course you did so at once; for within five or six days you brought me back the document with your father’s signature; and I handed you the money.

NORA.

Well? Have I not made my payments punctually?

KROGSTAD.

Fairly—yes. But to return to the point: You were in great trouble at the time, Mrs. Helmer.

NORA.

I was indeed!

KROGSTAD.

Your father was very ill, I believe?

NORA.

He was on his death-bed.

KROGSTAD.

And died soon after?

NORA.

Yes.

KROGSTAD.

Tell me, Mrs. Helmer: do you happen to recollect the day of his death? The day of the month, I mean?

NORA.

Father died on the 29th of September.

KROGSTAD.

Quite correct. I have made inquiries. And here comes in the remarkable point—[_Produces a paper_] which I cannot explain.

NORA.

What remarkable point? I don’t know——

KROGSTAD.

The remarkable point, madam, that your father signed this paper three days after his death!

NORA.

What! I don’t understand——

KROGSTAD.

Your father died on the 29th of September. But look here: he has dated his signature October 2nd! Is not that remarkable, Mrs. Helmer? [NORA _is silent._] Can you explain it? [NORA _continues silent._] It is noteworthy, too, that the words “October 2nd” and the year are not in your father’s handwriting, but in one which I believe I know. Well, this may be explained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and somebody may have added the date at random, before the fact of your father’s death was known. There is nothing wrong in that. Everything depends on the signature. Of course it is genuine, Mrs. Helmer? It was really your father himself who wrote his name here?

NORA.

[_After a short silence, throws her head back and looks defiantly at him._] No, it was not. _I_ wrote father’s name.

KROGSTAD.

Ah!—Are you aware, madam, that that is a dangerous admission?

NORA.

How so? You will soon get your money.

KROGSTAD.

May I ask you one more question? Why did you not send the paper to your father?

NORA.

It was impossible. Father was ill. If I had asked him for his signature, I should have had to tell him why I wanted the money; but he was so ill I really could not tell him that my husband’s life was in danger. It was impossible.

KROGSTAD.

Then it would have been better to have given up your tour.

NORA.

No, I couldn’t do that; my husband’s life depended on that journey. I couldn’t give it up.

KROGSTAD.

And did it never occur to you that you were playing me false?

NORA.

That was nothing to me. I didn’t care in the least about you. I couldn’t endure you for all the cruel difficulties you made, although you knew how ill my husband was.

KROGSTAD.

Mrs. Helmer, you evidently do not realise what you have been guilty of. But I can assure you it was nothing more and nothing worse that made me an outcast from society.

NORA.

You! You want me to believe that you did a brave thing to save your wife’s life?

KROGSTAD.

The law takes no account of motives.

NORA.

Then it must be a very bad law.

KROGSTAD.

Bad or not, if I produce this document in court, you will be condemned according to law.

NORA.

I don’t believe that. Do you mean to tell me that a daughter has no right to spare her dying father trouble and anxiety?—that a wife has no right to save her husband’s life? I don’t know much about the law, but I’m sure you’ll find, somewhere or another, that that is allowed. And you don’t know that—you, a lawyer! You must be a bad one, Mr. Krogstad.

KROGSTAD.

Possibly. But business—such business as ours—I do understand. You believe that? Very well; now do as you please. But this I may tell you, that if I am flung into the gutter a second time, you shall keep me company.

[_Bows and goes out through hall._

NORA.

[_Stands a while thinking, then tosses her head._] Oh nonsense! He wants to frighten me. I’m not so foolish as that. [_Begins folding the children’s_ _clothes. Pauses._] But——? No, it’s impossible! Why, I did it for love!

CHILDREN.

[_At the door, left._] Mamma, the strange man has gone now.

NORA.

Yes, yes, I know. But don’t tell any one about the strange man. Do you hear? Not even papa!

CHILDREN.

No, mamma; and now will you play with us again?

NORA.

No, no; not now.

CHILDREN.

Oh, do, mamma; you know you promised.

NORA.

Yes, but I can’t just now. Run to the nursery; I have so much to do. Run along, run along, and be good, my darlings! [_She pushes them gently into the inner room, and closes the door behind them. Sits on the sofa, embroiders a few stitches, but soon pauses._] No! [_Throws down the work, rises, goes to the hall door and calls out._] Ellen, bring in the Christmas-tree! [_Goes to table, left, and opens the drawer; again pauses._] No, it’s quite impossible!

ELLEN.

[_With Christmas-tree._] Where shall I stand it, ma’am?

NORA.

There, in the middle of the room.

ELLEN.

Shall I bring in anything else?

NORA.

No, thank you, I have all I want.

[ELLEN, _having put down the tree, goes out._

NORA.

[_Busy dressing the tree._] There must be a candle here—and flowers there.—That horrible man! Nonsense, nonsense! there’s nothing to be afraid of. The Christmas-tree shall be beautiful. I’ll do everything to please you, Torvald; I’ll sing and dance, and——

_Enter HELMER by the hall door, with a bundle of documents._

NORA.

Oh! You’re back already?

HELMER.

Yes. Has anybody been here?

NORA.

Here? No.

HELMER.

That’s odd. I saw Krogstad come out of the house.

NORA.

Did you? Oh, yes, by-the-bye, he was here for a minute.

HELMER.

Nora, I can see by your manner that he has been begging you to put in a good word for him.

NORA.

Yes.

HELMER.

And you were to do it as if of your own accord? You were to say nothing to me of his having been here. Didn’t he suggest that too?

NORA.

Yes, Torvald; but——

HELMER.

Nora, Nora! And you could condescend to that! To speak to such a man, to make him a promise! And then to tell me an untruth about it!

NORA.

An untruth!

HELMER.

Didn’t you say that nobody had been here? [_Threatens with his finger._] My little bird must never do that again! A song-bird must sing clear and true; no false notes. [_Puts his arm round her._] That’s so, isn’t it? Yes, I was sure of it. [_Lets her go._] And now we’ll say no more about it. [_Sits down before the fire._] Oh, how cosy and quiet it is here!

[_Glances into his documents._

NORA.

[_Busy with the tree, after a short silence._] Torvald!

HELMER.

Yes.

NORA.

I’m looking forward so much to the Stenborgs’ fancy ball the day after to-morrow.

HELMER.

And I’m on tenterhooks to see what surprise you have in store for me.

NORA.

Oh, it’s too tiresome!

HELMER.

What is?

NORA.

I can’t think of anything good. Everything seems so foolish and meaningless.

HELMER.

Has little Nora made that discovery?

NORA.

[_Behind his chair, with her arms on the back._] Are you very busy, Torvald?

HELMER.

Well——

NORA.

What papers are those?

HELMER.

Bank business.

NORA.

Already!

HELMER.

I have got the retiring manager to let me make some necessary changes in the staff and the organization. I can do this during Christmas week. I want to have everything straight by the New Year.

NORA.

Then that’s why that poor Krogstad——

HELMER.

H’m.

NORA.

[_Still leaning over the chair-back and slowly stroking his hair._] If you hadn’t been so very busy, I should have asked you a great, great favour, Torvald.

HELMER.

What can it be? Out with it.

NORA.

Nobody has such perfect taste as you; and I should so love to look well at the fancy ball. Torvald, dear, couldn’t you take me in hand, and settle what I’m to be, and arrange my costume for me?

HELMER.

Aha! So my wilful little woman is at a loss, and making signals of distress.

NORA.

Yes, please, Torvald. I can’t get on without your help.

HELMER.

Well, well, I’ll think it over, and we’ll soon hit upon something.

NORA.

Oh, how good that is of you! [_Goes to the tree again; pause._] How well the red flowers show.—Tell me, was it anything so very dreadful this Krogstad got into trouble about?

HELMER.

Forgery, that’s all. Don’t you know what that means?

NORA.

Mayn’t he have been driven to it by need?

HELMER.

Yes; or, like so many others, he may have done it in pure heedlessness. I am not so hard-hearted as to condemn a man absolutely for a single fault.

NORA.

No, surely not, Torvald!

HELMER.

Many a man can retrieve his character, if he owns his crime and takes the punishment.

NORA.

Punishment——?

HELMER.

But Krogstad didn’t do that. He evaded the law by means of tricks and subterfuges; and that is what has morally ruined him.

NORA.

Do you think that——?

HELMER.

Just think how a man with a thing of that sort on his conscience must be always lying and canting and shamming. Think of the mask he must wear even towards those who stand nearest him—towards his own wife and children. The effect on the children—that’s the most terrible part of it, Nora.

NORA.

Why?

HELMER.

Because in such an atmosphere of lies home life is poisoned and contaminated in every fibre. Every breath the children draw contains some germ of evil.

NORA.

[_Closer behind him._] Are you sure of that?

HELMER.

As a lawyer, my dear, I have seen it often enough. Nearly all cases of early corruption may be traced to lying mothers.

NORA.

Why—mothers?

HELMER.

It generally comes from the mother’s side; but of course the father’s influence may act in the same way. Every lawyer knows it too well. And here has this Krogstad been poisoning his own children for years past by a life of lies and hypocrisy—that is why I call him morally ruined. [_Holds out both hands to her._] So my sweet little Nora must promise not to plead his cause. Shake hands upon it. Come, come, what’s this? Give me your hand. That’s right. Then it’s a bargain. I assure you it would have been impossible for me to work with him. It gives me a positive sense of physical discomfort to come in contact with such people.

[NORA _draws her hand away, and moves to the other side of the
Christmas-tree._

NORA.

How warm it is here. And I have so much to do.

HELMER.

[_Rises and gathers up his papers._] Yes, and I must try to get some of these papers looked through before dinner. And I shall think over your costume too. Perhaps I may even find something to hang in gilt paper on the Christmas-tree. [_Lays his hand on her head._] My precious little song-bird!

[_He goes into his room and shuts the door._

NORA.

[Softly, after a pause.] It can’t be. It’s impossible. It must be impossible!

ANNA.

[_At the door, left._] T

NORA.

No, no, no; don’t let them come to me! Keep them with you, Anna.

ANNA.

Very well, ma’am.

[_Shuts the door._

NORA.

[_Pale with terror._] Corrupt my children!—Poison my home! [_Short pause. She throws back her head._] It’s not true! It can never, never be true!

-----

Footnote 5:

About sixpence. There are 100 öre in a krone or crown, which is worth
thirteenpence halfpenny.

Footnote 6:

“Spillefugl,” literally “playbird,” means a gambler.

Footnote 7:

The dollar (4_s._ 6_d._) was the old unit of currency in Norway. The
crown was substituted for it shortly before the date of this play.

Footnote 8:

“Död og pine,” literally “death and torture”; but by usage a
comparatively mild oath.

ACT SECOND

_The same room. In the corner, beside the piano, stands the
Christmas-tree, stripped, and with the candles burnt out.
NORA’S outdoor things lie on the sofa._

_NORA, alone, is walking about restlessly. At last she stops
by the sofa, and takes up her cloak._

NORA.

[_Dropping the cloak._] There’s somebody coming! [_Goes to the hall door and listens._] Nobody; of course nobody will come to-day, Christmas-day; nor to-morrow either. But perhaps——[_Opens the door and looks out._]—No, nothing in the letter-box; quite empty. [_Comes forward._] Stuff and nonsense! Of course he won’t really do anything. Such a thing couldn’t happen. It’s impossible! Why, I have three little children.

_ANNA enters from the left, with a large cardboard box._

ANNA.

I’ve found the box with the fancy dress at last.

NORA.

Thanks; put it down on the table.

ANNA.

[_Does so._] But I’m afraid it’s very much out of order.

NORA.

Oh, I wish I could tear it into a hundred thousand pieces!

ANNA.

Oh, no. It can easily be put to rights—just a little patience.

NORA.

I shall go and get Mrs. Linden to help me.

ANNA.

Going out again? In such weather as this! You’ll catch cold, ma’am, and be ill.

NORA.

Worse things might happen.—What are the children doing?

ANNA.

They’re playing with their Christmas presents, poor little dears; but——

NORA.

Do they often ask for me?

ANNA.

You see they’ve been so used to having their mamma with them.

NORA.

Yes; but, Anna, I can’t have them so much with me in future.

ANNA.

Well, little children get used to anything.

NORA.

Do you think they do? Do you believe they would forget their mother if she went quite away?

ANNA.

Gracious me! Quite away?

NORA.

Tell me, Anna—I’ve so often wondered about it—how could you bring yourself to give your child up to strangers?

ANNA.

I had to when I came to nurse my little Miss Nora.

NORA.

But how could you make up your mind to it?

ANNA.

When I had the chance of such a good place? A poor girl who’s been in trouble must take what comes. That wicked man did nothing for me.

NORA.

But your daughter must have forgotten you.

ANNA.

Oh, no, ma’am, that she hasn’t. She wrote to me both when she was confirmed and when she was married.

NORA.

[_Embracing her._] Dear old Anna—you were a good mother to me when I was little.

ANNA.

My poor little Nora had no mother but me.

NORA.

And if my little ones had nobody else, I’m sure you would——Nonsense, nonsense! [_Opens the box._] Go in to the children. Now I must——You’ll see how lovely I shall be to-morrow.

ANNA.

I’m sure there will be no one at the ball so lovely as my Miss Nora.

[_She goes into the room on the left._

NORA.

[_Takes the costume out of the box, but soon throws it down again._] Oh, if I dared go out. If only nobody would come. If only nothing would happen here in the meantime. Rubbish; nobody is coming. Only not to think. What a delicious muff! Beautiful gloves, beautiful gloves! To forget—to forget! One, two, three, four, five, six——[_With a scream._] Ah, there they come.

[_Goes towards the door, then stands irresolute._

_MRS. LINDEN enters from the hall, where she has taken off her
things._

NORA.

Oh, it’s you, Christina. There’s nobody else there? I’m so glad you have come.

MRS. LINDEN.

I hear you called at my lodgings.

NORA.

Yes, I was just passing. There’s something you _must_ help me with. Let us sit here on the sofa—so. To-morrow evening there’s to be a fancy ball at Consul Stenborg’s overhead, and Torvald wants me to appear as a Neapolitan fisher-girl, and dance the tarantella; I learned it at Capri.

MRS. LINDEN.

I see—quite a performance.

NORA.

Yes, Torvald wishes it. Look, this is the costume; Torvald had it made for me in Italy. But now it’s all so torn, I don’t know——

MRS. LINDEN.

Oh, we shall soon set that to rights. It’s only the trimming that has come loose here and there. Have you a needle and thread? Ah, here’s the very thing.

NORA.

Oh, how kind of you.

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Sewing._] So you’re to be in costume to-morrow, Nora? I’ll tell you what—I shall come in for a moment to see you in all your glory. But I’ve quite forgotten to thank you for the pleasant evening yesterday.

NORA.

[_Rises and walks across the room._] Oh, yesterday, it didn’t seem so pleasant as usual.—You should have come to town a little sooner, Christina.—Torvald has certainly the art of making home bright and beautiful.

MRS. LINDEN.

You too, I should think, or you wouldn’t be your father’s daughter. But tell me—is Doctor Rank always so depressed as he was last evening?

NORA.

No, yesterday it was particularly noticeable. You see, he suffers from a dreadful illness. He has spinal consumption, poor fellow. They say his father was a horrible man, who kept mistresses and all sorts of things—so the son has been sickly from his childhood, you understand.

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Lets her sewing fall into her lap._] Why, my darling Nora, how do you come to know such things?

NORA.

[_Moving about the room._] Oh, when one has three children, one sometimes has visits from women who are half—half doctors—and they talk of one thing and another.

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Goes on sewing; a short pause._] Does Doctor Rank come here every day?

NORA.

Every day of his life. He has been Torvald’s most intimate friend from boyhood, and he’s a good friend of mine too. Doctor Rank is quite one of the family.

MRS. LINDEN.

But tell me—is he quite sincere? I mean, isn’t he rather given to flattering people?

NORA.

No, quite the contrary. Why should you think so?

MRS. LINDEN.

When you introduced us yesterday he said he had often heard my name; but I noticed afterwards that your husband had no notion who I was. How could Doctor Rank——?

NORA.

He was quite right, Christina. You see, Torvald loves me so indescribably, he wants to have me all to himself, as he says. When we were first married he was almost jealous if I even mentioned any of my old friends at home; so naturally I gave up doing it. But I often talk of the old times to Doctor Rank, for he likes to hear about them.

MRS. LINDEN.

Listen to me, Nora! You are still a child in many ways. I am older than you, and have had more experience. I’ll tell you something. You ought to get clear of all this with Dr. Rank.

NORA.

Get clear of what?

MRS. LINDEN.

The whole affair, I should say. You were talking yesterday of a rich admirer who was to find you money——

NORA.

Yes, one who never existed, worse luck. What then?

MRS. LINDEN.

Has Doctor Rank money?

NORA.

Yes, he has.

MRS. LINDEN.

And nobody to provide for?

NORA.

Nobody. But——?

MRS. LINDEN.

And he comes here every day?

NORA.

Yes, I told you so.

MRS. LINDEN.

I should have thought he would have had better taste.

NORA.

I don’t understand you a bit.

MRS. LINDEN.

Don’t pretend, Nora. Do you suppose I can’t guess who lent you the twelve hundred dollars?

NORA.

Are you out of your senses? How can you think such a thing? A friend who comes here every day! Why, the position would be unbearable!

MRS. LINDEN.

Then it really is not he?

NORA.

No, I assure you. It never for a moment occurred to me——Besides, at that time he had nothing to lend; he came into his property afterwards.

MRS. LINDEN.

Well, I believe that was lucky for you, Nora dear.

NORA.

No, really, it would never have struck me to ask Dr. Rank——And yet, I’m certain that if I did——

MRS. LINDEN.

But of course you never would.

NORA.

Of course not. It’s inconceivable that it should ever be necessary. But I’m quite sure that if I spoke to Doctor Rank——

MRS. LINDEN.

Behind your husband’s back?

NORA.

I must get clear of the other thing; that’s behind his back too. I _must_ get clear of that.

MRS. LINDEN.

Yes, yes, I told you so yesterday; but——

NORA.

[_Walking up and down._] A man can manage these things much better than a woman.

MRS. LINDEN.

One’s own husband, yes.

NORA.

Nonsense. [_Stands still._] When everything is paid, one gets back the paper.

MRS. LINDEN.

Of course.

NORA.

And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up, the nasty, filthy thing!

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Looks at her fixedly, lays down her work, and rises slowly._] Nora, you are hiding something from me.

NORA.

Can you see it in my face?

MRS. LINDEN.

Something has happened since yesterday morning. Nora, what is it?

NORA.

[_Going towards her._] Christina——! [_Listens._] Hush! There’s Torvald coming home. Do you mind going into the nursery for the present? Torvald can’t bear to see dressmaking going on. Get Anna to help you.

MRS. LINDEN.

[_Gathers some of the things together._] Very well; but I shan’t go away until you have told me all about it.

[_She goes out to the left, as_ HELMER _enters from the hall._

NORA.

[_Runs to meet him._] Oh, how I’ve been longing for you to come, Torvald dear!

HELMER.

Was that the dressmaker——?

NORA.

No, Christina. She’s helping me with my costume. You’ll see how nice I shall look.

HELMER.

Yes, wasn’t that a happy thought of mine?

NORA.

Splendid! But isn’t it good of me, too, to have given in to you about the tarantella?

HELMER.

[_Takes her under the chin._] Good of you! To give in to your own husband? Well well, you little madcap, I know you don’t mean it. But I won’t disturb you. I daresay you want to be “trying on.”

NORA.

And you are going to work, I suppose?

HELMER.

Yes. [_Shows her a bundle of papers._] Look here. I’ve just come from the Bank——

[_Goes towards his room._

NORA.

Torvald.

HELMER.

[_Stopping._] Yes?

NORA.

If your little squirrel were to beg you for something so prettily——

HELMER.

Well?

NORA.

Would you do it?

HELMER.

I must know first what it is.

NORA.

The squirrel would skip about and play all sorts of tricks if you would only be nice and kind.

HELMER.

Come, then, out with it.

NORA.

Your lark would twitter from morning till night——

HELMER

Oh, that she does in any case.

NORA.

I’ll be an elf and dance in the moonlight for you, Torvald.

HELMER.

Nora—you can’t mean what you were hinting at this morning?

NORA.

[_Coming nearer._] Yes, Torvald, I beg and implore you!

HELMER.

Have you really the courage to begin that again?

NORA.

Yes, yes; for my sake, you _must_ let Krogstad keep his place in the Bank.

HELMER.

My dear Nora, it’s his place I intend for Mrs. Linden.

NORA.

Yes, that’s so good of you. But instead of Krogstad, you could dismiss some other clerk.

HELMER.

Why, this is incredible obstinacy! Because you have thoughtlessly promised to put in a word for him, I am to——!

NORA.

It’s not that, Torvald. It’s for your own sake. This man writes for the most scurrilous newspapers; you said so yourself. He can do you no end of harm. I’m so terribly afraid of him——

HELMER.

Ah, I understand; it’s old recollections that are frightening you.

NORA.

What do you mean?

HELMER.

Of course you’re thinking of your father.

NORA.

Yes—yes, of course. Only think of the shameful slanders wicked people used to write about father. I believe they would have got him dismissed if you hadn’t been sent to look into the thing, and been kind to him, and helped him.

HELMER.

My little Nora, between your father and me there is all the difference in the world. Your father was not altogether unimpeachable. I am; and I hope to remain so.

NORA.

Oh, no one knows what wicked men may hit upon. We could live so quietly and happily now, in our cosy, peaceful home, you and I and the children, Torvald! That’s why I beg and implore you——

HELMER.

And it is just by pleading his cause that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It’s already known at the Bank that I intend to dismiss Krogstad. If it were now reported that the new manager let himself be turned round his wife’s little finger——

NORA.

What then?

HELMER.

Oh, nothing, so long as a wilful woman can have her way——! I am to make myself a laughing-stock to the whole staff, and set people saying that I am open to all sorts of outside influence? Take my word for it, I should soon feel the consequences. And besides—there is one thing that makes Krogstad impossible for me to work with——

NORA.

What thing?

HELMER.

I could perhaps have overlooked his moral failings at a pinch——

NORA.

Yes, couldn’t you, Torvald?

HELMER.

And I hear he is good at his work. But the fact is, he was a college chum of mine—there was one of those rash friendships between us that one so often repents of later. I may as well confess it at once—he calls me by my Christian name;[9] and he is tactless enough to do it even when others are present. He delights in putting on airs of familiarity—Torvald here, Torvald there! I assure you it’s most painful to me. He would make my position at the Bank perfectly unendurable.

NORA.

Torvald, surely you’re not serious?

HELMER.

No? Why not?

NORA.

That’s such a petty reason.

HELMER.

What! Petty! Do you consider me petty!

NORA.

No, on the contrary, Torvald dear; and that’s just why——

HELMER.

Never mind; you call my motives petty; then I must be petty too. Petty! Very well!—Now we’ll put an end to this, once for all. [_Goes to the door into the hall and calls._] Ellen!

NORA.

What do you want?

HELMER.

[_Searching among his papers._] To settle the thing. [ELLEN _enters._] Here; take this letter; give it to a messenger. See that he takes it at once. The address is on it. Here’s the money.

ELLEN.

Very well, sir.

[_Goes with the letter._

HELMER.

[_Putting his papers together._] There, Madam Obstinacy.

NORA.

[_Breathless._] Torvald—what was in the letter?

HELMER.

Krogstad’s dismissal.

NORA.

Call it back again, Torvald! There’s still time. Oh, Torvald, call it back again! For my sake, for your own, for the children’s sake! Do you hear, Torvald? Do it! You don’t know what that letter may bring upon us all.

HELMER.

Too late.

NORA.

Yes, too late.

HELMER.

My dear Nora, I forgive your anxiety, though it’s anything but flattering to me. Why should you suppose that _I_ would be afraid of a wretched scribbler’s spite? But I forgive you all the same, for it’s a proof of your great love for me. [_Takes her in his arms._] That’s as it should be, my own dear Nora. Let what will happen—when it comes to the pinch, I shall have strength and courage enough. You shall see: my shoulders are broad enough to bear the whole burden.

NORA.

[_Terror-struck._] What do you mean by that?

HELMER.

The whole burden, I say——

NORA.