Oh, you can't
frighten
me.
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in
my company as in Helmer's.
_Nora_. Yes--you see there are some people one loves best, and others
whom one would almost always rather have as companions.
_Rank_. Yes, there is something in that.
_Nora_. When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always
thought it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids' room,
because they never moralized at all, and talked to each other about such
entertaining things.
_Rank_. I see--it is their place I have taken.
_Nora_ (_jumping-up and going to him_). Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I
never meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with
Torvald is a little like being with papa--(_Enter_ MAID _from the hall_. )
_Maid_. If you please, ma'am. (_Whispers and hands her a card_. )
_Nora_ (_glancing at the card_). Oh! (_Puts it in her pocket_. )
_Rank_. Is there anything wrong?
_Nora_. No, no, not in the least. It is only something--It is my new
dress--
_Rank_. What? Your dress is lying there.
_Nora_. Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald
mustn't know about it--
_Rank_. Oho! Then that was the great secret.
_Nora_. Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room.
Keep him as long as--
_Rank_. Make your mind easy; I won't let him escape. (_Goes into_
HELMER'S _room_. )
_Nora_ (_to the_ MAID). And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
_Maid_. Yes; he came up the back stairs.
_Nora_. But didn't you tell him no one was in?
_Maid_. Yes, but it was no good.
_Nora_. He won't go away?
_Maid_. No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am.
_Nora_. Well, let him come in--but quietly. Helen, you mustn't say
anything about it to any one. It is a surprise for my husband.
_Maid_. Yes, ma'am, I quite understand. (_Exit_. )
_Nora_. This dreadful thing is going to happen. It will happen in spite
of me! No, no, no, it can't happen--it shan't happen! (_She bolts the
door of_ HELMER'S _room. The_ MAID _opens the hall door for_ KROGSTAD
_and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur
cap_. )
_Nora_ (_advancing towards him_). Speak low--my husband is at home.
_Krogstad_. No matter about that.
_Nora_. What do you want of me?
_Krogstad_. An explanation of something.
_Nora_. Make haste then. What is it?
_Krogstad_. You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.
_Nora_. I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could
on your side, but it was no good.
_Krogstad_. Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I
can expose you to, and yet he ventures--
_Nora_. How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?
_Krogstad_. I didn't suppose so at all. It would not be the least like
our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage--
_Nora_. Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.
_Krogstad_. Certainly--all the respect he deserves. But since you have
kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that
you have a little clearer idea than you had yesterday, of what it
actually is that you have done?
_Nora_. More than you could ever teach me.
_Krogstad_. Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am.
_Nora_. What is it you want of me?
_Krogstad_. Only to see how you were, Mrs. Helmer. I have been thinking
about you all day long. A mere cashier--a quill-driver, a--well, a man
like me--even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know.
_Nora_. Show it, then; think of my little children.
_Krogstad_. Have you and your husband thought of mine? But never mind
about that. I only wanted to tell you that you need not take this matter
too seriously. In the first place there will be no accusation made on my
part.
_Nora_. No, of course not; I was sure of that.
_Krogstad_. The whole thing can be arranged amicably; there is no reason
why anyone should know anything about it. It will remain a secret
between us three.
_Nora_. My husband must never get to know anything about it.
_Krogstad_. How will you be able to prevent it? Am I to understand that
you can pay the balance that is owing?
_Nora_. No, not just at present.
_Krogstad_. Or perhaps that you have some expedient for raising the
money soon?
_Nora_. No expedient that I mean to make use of.
_Krogstad_. Well, in any case, it would have been of no use to you now.
If you stood there with ever so much money in your hand, I would never
part with your bond.
_Nora_. Tell me what purpose you mean to put it to.
_Krogstad_. I shall only preserve it--keep it in my possession. No one
who is not concerned in the matter shall have the slightest hint of it.
So that if the thought of it has driven you to any desperate
resolution--
_Nora_. It has.
_Krogstad_. If you had it in your mind to run away from your home--
_Nora_. I had.
_Krogstad_. Or even something worse--
_Nora_. How could you know that?
_Krogstad_. Give up the idea.
_Nora_. How did you know I had thought of _that? _
_Krogstad_. Most of us think of that at first. I did, too--but I hadn't
the courage.
_Nora_ (_faintly_). No more had I.
_Krogstad_ (_in a tone of relief)_. No, that's it, isn't it--you hadn't
the courage either?
_Nora_. No, I haven't--I haven't.
_Krogstad_. Besides, it would have been a great piece of folly. Once the
first storm at home is over--. I have a letter for your husband in my
pocket.
_Nora_. Telling him everything?
_Krogstad_. In as lenient a manner as I possibly could.
_Nora_ (_quickly)_. He mustn't get the letter. Tear it up. I will find
some means of getting money.
_Krogstad_. Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer, but I think I told you just how--
_Nora_. I am not speaking of what I owe you. Tell me what sum you are
asking my husband for, and I will get the money.
_Krogstad_. I am not asking your husband for a penny.
_Nora_. What do you want, then?
_Krogstad_. I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs. Helmer;
I want to get on; and in that your husband must help me. For the last
year and a half I have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, and all
that time I have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. I was
content to work my way up step by step. Now I am turned out, and I am
not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. I
want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bank again, in a
higher position. Your husband must make a place for me--
_Nora_. That he will never do!
_Krogstad_. He will; I know him; he dare not protest. And as soon as I
am in there again with him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be
the manager's right hand. It will be Nils Krogstad and not Torvald
Helmer who manages the Bank.
_Nora_. That's a thing you will never see!
_Krogstad_. Do you mean that you will--?
_Nora_. I have courage enough for it now.
_Krogstad_.
Oh, you can't frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you--
_Nora_. You will see, you will see.
_Krogstad_. Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-black
water? And then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible
and unrecognizable, with your hair fallen out--
_Nora_. You can't frighten me.
_Krogstad_. Nor you me. People don't do such things, Mrs. Helmer.
Besides, what use would it be? I should have him completely in my power
all the same.
_Nora_. Afterwards? When I am no longer--
_Krogstad_. Have you forgot that it is I who have the keeping of your
reputation? (_Nora stands speechlessly looking at him. )_ Well, now, I
have warned you. Do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had my
letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember that
it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this
again. I will never forgive him for that. Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer. (_Exit
through the hall. )_
_Nora_ (_goes to the hall door, opens it slightly and listens_). He is
going. He is not putting the letter in the box. Oh, no, no, that's
impossible! (_Opens the door by degrees. _) What is that? He is standing
outside. He is not going downstairs. Is he hesitating? Can he--? (_A
letter drops into the box; then_ KROGSTAD'S _footsteps are heard, till
they die away as he goes downstairs. _ NORA _utters a stifled cry, and
runs across the room to the table by the sofa. A short pause_. )
_Nora_. In the letter-box. (_Steals across to the hall-door_. ) There it
lies--Torvald, Torvald, there is no hope for us now!
(MRS. LINDE _comes in from the room on the left, carrying the dress_. )
_Mrs. Linde_. There, I can't see anything more to mend now. Would you
like to try it on--?
_Nora_ (_in a hoarse whisper_). Christine, come here.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_throwing the dress down on the sofa_). What is the matter
with you? You look so agitated!
_Nora_. Come here. Do you see that letter? There, look--you can see it
through the glass in the letter-box.
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, I see it.
_Nora_. That letter is from Krogstad.
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora--it was Krogstad who lent you the money!
_Nora_. Yes, and now Torvald will know all about it.
_Mrs. Linde_. Believe me, Nora, that's the best thing for both of you.
_Nora_. You don't know all. I forged a name.
_Mrs. Linde_. Good heavens--!
_Nora_. I only want to say this to you, Christine--you must be my witness.
_Mrs. Linde_. Your witness! What do you mean? What am I to--?
_Nora_. If I should go out of my mind--and it might easily happen--
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora!
_Nora_. Or if anything else should happen to me--anything, for instance,
that might prevent my being here--
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora! Nora! you are quite out of your mind.
_Nora_. And if it should happen that there were someone who wanted to
take all the responsibility, all the blame, you understand--
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, yes--but how can you suppose--?
_Nora_. Then you must be my witness, that it is not true, Christine. I
am not out of my mind at all; I am in my right senses now, and I tell
you no one else has known anything about it; I and I alone, did the
whole thing. Remember that.
_Mrs. Linde_. I will, indeed. But I don't understand all this.
_Nora_. How should you understand it? A wonderful thing is going to
happen.
_Mrs. Linde_. A wonderful thing?
_Nora_. Yes, a wonderful thing! --But it is so terrible, Christine; it
_mustn't_ happen, not for all the world.
_Mrs. Linde_. I will go at once and see Krogstad.
_Nora_. Don't go to him; he will do you some harm.
_Mrs. Linde_. There was a time when he would gladly do anything for my
sake.
_Nora_. He?
_Mrs. Linde_. Where does he live?
_Nora_. How should I know--? Yes (_feeling in her pocket_) here is his
card. But the letter, the letter--!
_Helmer_ (_calls from his room, knocking at the door_). Nora.
_Nora_ (_cries out anxiously_). Oh, what's that? What do you want?
_Helmer_. Don't be so frightened. We are not coming in; you have locked
the door. Are you trying on your dress?
_Nora_. Yes, that's it. I look so nice, Torvald.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_who has read the card_) I see he lives at the corner
here.
_Nora_. Yes, but it's no use. It is hopeless. The letter is lying there
in the box.
_Mrs. Linde_. And your husband keeps the key?
_Nora_. Yes, always.
_Mrs. Linde_. Krogstad must ask for his letter back unread, he must find
some pretence--
_Nora_. But it is just at this time that Torvald generally--
_Mrs. Linde_. You must delay him. Go in to him in the meantime. I will
come back as soon as I can. (_She goes out hurriedly through the hall
door_. )
_Nora_ (_goes to_ HELMER'S _door, opens it and peeps in_). Torvald!
_Helmer_ (_from the inner room_). Well? May I venture at last to come
into my own room again? Come along, Rank, now you will see--(_ Halting
in the doorway_. ) But what is this?
_Nora_. What is what, dear?
_Helmer_. Rank led me to expect a splendid transformation.
_Rank_ (_in the doorway_). I understood so, but evidently I was
mistaken.
_Nora_. Yes, nobody is to have the chance of admiring me in my dress
until to-morrow.
_Helmer_. But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been
practising too much?
_Nora_. No, I have not practised at all.
_Helmer_. But you will need to--
_Nora_. Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But I can't get on a bit without
you to help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing.
_Helmer_. Oh, we will soon work it up again.
_Nora_. Yes, help me, Torvald. Promise that you will! I am so nervous
about it--all the people--. You must give yourself up to me entirely
this evening. Not the tiniest bit of business--you mustn't even take a
pen in your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear?
_Helmer_. I promise.
my company as in Helmer's.
_Nora_. Yes--you see there are some people one loves best, and others
whom one would almost always rather have as companions.
_Rank_. Yes, there is something in that.
_Nora_. When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always
thought it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids' room,
because they never moralized at all, and talked to each other about such
entertaining things.
_Rank_. I see--it is their place I have taken.
_Nora_ (_jumping-up and going to him_). Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I
never meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with
Torvald is a little like being with papa--(_Enter_ MAID _from the hall_. )
_Maid_. If you please, ma'am. (_Whispers and hands her a card_. )
_Nora_ (_glancing at the card_). Oh! (_Puts it in her pocket_. )
_Rank_. Is there anything wrong?
_Nora_. No, no, not in the least. It is only something--It is my new
dress--
_Rank_. What? Your dress is lying there.
_Nora_. Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald
mustn't know about it--
_Rank_. Oho! Then that was the great secret.
_Nora_. Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room.
Keep him as long as--
_Rank_. Make your mind easy; I won't let him escape. (_Goes into_
HELMER'S _room_. )
_Nora_ (_to the_ MAID). And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
_Maid_. Yes; he came up the back stairs.
_Nora_. But didn't you tell him no one was in?
_Maid_. Yes, but it was no good.
_Nora_. He won't go away?
_Maid_. No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am.
_Nora_. Well, let him come in--but quietly. Helen, you mustn't say
anything about it to any one. It is a surprise for my husband.
_Maid_. Yes, ma'am, I quite understand. (_Exit_. )
_Nora_. This dreadful thing is going to happen. It will happen in spite
of me! No, no, no, it can't happen--it shan't happen! (_She bolts the
door of_ HELMER'S _room. The_ MAID _opens the hall door for_ KROGSTAD
_and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur
cap_. )
_Nora_ (_advancing towards him_). Speak low--my husband is at home.
_Krogstad_. No matter about that.
_Nora_. What do you want of me?
_Krogstad_. An explanation of something.
_Nora_. Make haste then. What is it?
_Krogstad_. You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.
_Nora_. I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could
on your side, but it was no good.
_Krogstad_. Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I
can expose you to, and yet he ventures--
_Nora_. How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?
_Krogstad_. I didn't suppose so at all. It would not be the least like
our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage--
_Nora_. Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.
_Krogstad_. Certainly--all the respect he deserves. But since you have
kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that
you have a little clearer idea than you had yesterday, of what it
actually is that you have done?
_Nora_. More than you could ever teach me.
_Krogstad_. Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am.
_Nora_. What is it you want of me?
_Krogstad_. Only to see how you were, Mrs. Helmer. I have been thinking
about you all day long. A mere cashier--a quill-driver, a--well, a man
like me--even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know.
_Nora_. Show it, then; think of my little children.
_Krogstad_. Have you and your husband thought of mine? But never mind
about that. I only wanted to tell you that you need not take this matter
too seriously. In the first place there will be no accusation made on my
part.
_Nora_. No, of course not; I was sure of that.
_Krogstad_. The whole thing can be arranged amicably; there is no reason
why anyone should know anything about it. It will remain a secret
between us three.
_Nora_. My husband must never get to know anything about it.
_Krogstad_. How will you be able to prevent it? Am I to understand that
you can pay the balance that is owing?
_Nora_. No, not just at present.
_Krogstad_. Or perhaps that you have some expedient for raising the
money soon?
_Nora_. No expedient that I mean to make use of.
_Krogstad_. Well, in any case, it would have been of no use to you now.
If you stood there with ever so much money in your hand, I would never
part with your bond.
_Nora_. Tell me what purpose you mean to put it to.
_Krogstad_. I shall only preserve it--keep it in my possession. No one
who is not concerned in the matter shall have the slightest hint of it.
So that if the thought of it has driven you to any desperate
resolution--
_Nora_. It has.
_Krogstad_. If you had it in your mind to run away from your home--
_Nora_. I had.
_Krogstad_. Or even something worse--
_Nora_. How could you know that?
_Krogstad_. Give up the idea.
_Nora_. How did you know I had thought of _that? _
_Krogstad_. Most of us think of that at first. I did, too--but I hadn't
the courage.
_Nora_ (_faintly_). No more had I.
_Krogstad_ (_in a tone of relief)_. No, that's it, isn't it--you hadn't
the courage either?
_Nora_. No, I haven't--I haven't.
_Krogstad_. Besides, it would have been a great piece of folly. Once the
first storm at home is over--. I have a letter for your husband in my
pocket.
_Nora_. Telling him everything?
_Krogstad_. In as lenient a manner as I possibly could.
_Nora_ (_quickly)_. He mustn't get the letter. Tear it up. I will find
some means of getting money.
_Krogstad_. Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer, but I think I told you just how--
_Nora_. I am not speaking of what I owe you. Tell me what sum you are
asking my husband for, and I will get the money.
_Krogstad_. I am not asking your husband for a penny.
_Nora_. What do you want, then?
_Krogstad_. I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs. Helmer;
I want to get on; and in that your husband must help me. For the last
year and a half I have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, and all
that time I have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. I was
content to work my way up step by step. Now I am turned out, and I am
not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. I
want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bank again, in a
higher position. Your husband must make a place for me--
_Nora_. That he will never do!
_Krogstad_. He will; I know him; he dare not protest. And as soon as I
am in there again with him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be
the manager's right hand. It will be Nils Krogstad and not Torvald
Helmer who manages the Bank.
_Nora_. That's a thing you will never see!
_Krogstad_. Do you mean that you will--?
_Nora_. I have courage enough for it now.
_Krogstad_.
Oh, you can't frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you--
_Nora_. You will see, you will see.
_Krogstad_. Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-black
water? And then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible
and unrecognizable, with your hair fallen out--
_Nora_. You can't frighten me.
_Krogstad_. Nor you me. People don't do such things, Mrs. Helmer.
Besides, what use would it be? I should have him completely in my power
all the same.
_Nora_. Afterwards? When I am no longer--
_Krogstad_. Have you forgot that it is I who have the keeping of your
reputation? (_Nora stands speechlessly looking at him. )_ Well, now, I
have warned you. Do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had my
letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember that
it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this
again. I will never forgive him for that. Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer. (_Exit
through the hall. )_
_Nora_ (_goes to the hall door, opens it slightly and listens_). He is
going. He is not putting the letter in the box. Oh, no, no, that's
impossible! (_Opens the door by degrees. _) What is that? He is standing
outside. He is not going downstairs. Is he hesitating? Can he--? (_A
letter drops into the box; then_ KROGSTAD'S _footsteps are heard, till
they die away as he goes downstairs. _ NORA _utters a stifled cry, and
runs across the room to the table by the sofa. A short pause_. )
_Nora_. In the letter-box. (_Steals across to the hall-door_. ) There it
lies--Torvald, Torvald, there is no hope for us now!
(MRS. LINDE _comes in from the room on the left, carrying the dress_. )
_Mrs. Linde_. There, I can't see anything more to mend now. Would you
like to try it on--?
_Nora_ (_in a hoarse whisper_). Christine, come here.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_throwing the dress down on the sofa_). What is the matter
with you? You look so agitated!
_Nora_. Come here. Do you see that letter? There, look--you can see it
through the glass in the letter-box.
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, I see it.
_Nora_. That letter is from Krogstad.
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora--it was Krogstad who lent you the money!
_Nora_. Yes, and now Torvald will know all about it.
_Mrs. Linde_. Believe me, Nora, that's the best thing for both of you.
_Nora_. You don't know all. I forged a name.
_Mrs. Linde_. Good heavens--!
_Nora_. I only want to say this to you, Christine--you must be my witness.
_Mrs. Linde_. Your witness! What do you mean? What am I to--?
_Nora_. If I should go out of my mind--and it might easily happen--
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora!
_Nora_. Or if anything else should happen to me--anything, for instance,
that might prevent my being here--
_Mrs. Linde_. Nora! Nora! you are quite out of your mind.
_Nora_. And if it should happen that there were someone who wanted to
take all the responsibility, all the blame, you understand--
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, yes--but how can you suppose--?
_Nora_. Then you must be my witness, that it is not true, Christine. I
am not out of my mind at all; I am in my right senses now, and I tell
you no one else has known anything about it; I and I alone, did the
whole thing. Remember that.
_Mrs. Linde_. I will, indeed. But I don't understand all this.
_Nora_. How should you understand it? A wonderful thing is going to
happen.
_Mrs. Linde_. A wonderful thing?
_Nora_. Yes, a wonderful thing! --But it is so terrible, Christine; it
_mustn't_ happen, not for all the world.
_Mrs. Linde_. I will go at once and see Krogstad.
_Nora_. Don't go to him; he will do you some harm.
_Mrs. Linde_. There was a time when he would gladly do anything for my
sake.
_Nora_. He?
_Mrs. Linde_. Where does he live?
_Nora_. How should I know--? Yes (_feeling in her pocket_) here is his
card. But the letter, the letter--!
_Helmer_ (_calls from his room, knocking at the door_). Nora.
_Nora_ (_cries out anxiously_). Oh, what's that? What do you want?
_Helmer_. Don't be so frightened. We are not coming in; you have locked
the door. Are you trying on your dress?
_Nora_. Yes, that's it. I look so nice, Torvald.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_who has read the card_) I see he lives at the corner
here.
_Nora_. Yes, but it's no use. It is hopeless. The letter is lying there
in the box.
_Mrs. Linde_. And your husband keeps the key?
_Nora_. Yes, always.
_Mrs. Linde_. Krogstad must ask for his letter back unread, he must find
some pretence--
_Nora_. But it is just at this time that Torvald generally--
_Mrs. Linde_. You must delay him. Go in to him in the meantime. I will
come back as soon as I can. (_She goes out hurriedly through the hall
door_. )
_Nora_ (_goes to_ HELMER'S _door, opens it and peeps in_). Torvald!
_Helmer_ (_from the inner room_). Well? May I venture at last to come
into my own room again? Come along, Rank, now you will see--(_ Halting
in the doorway_. ) But what is this?
_Nora_. What is what, dear?
_Helmer_. Rank led me to expect a splendid transformation.
_Rank_ (_in the doorway_). I understood so, but evidently I was
mistaken.
_Nora_. Yes, nobody is to have the chance of admiring me in my dress
until to-morrow.
_Helmer_. But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been
practising too much?
_Nora_. No, I have not practised at all.
_Helmer_. But you will need to--
_Nora_. Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But I can't get on a bit without
you to help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing.
_Helmer_. Oh, we will soon work it up again.
_Nora_. Yes, help me, Torvald. Promise that you will! I am so nervous
about it--all the people--. You must give yourself up to me entirely
this evening. Not the tiniest bit of business--you mustn't even take a
pen in your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear?
_Helmer_. I promise.
