How should you
understand
it?
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
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. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at
your service, you helpless little mortal. Ah, by the way, first of all I
will just--(_Goes toward 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, plays the first bars of the Tarantella_. HELMER _stops in the
doorway_. ) Aha!
_Nora_. I can't dance to-morrow 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 hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of
the stage and calls out_). Now play for me! I am going to dance!
(HELMER _plays and_ NORA _dances_. RANK _stands by the piano behind_
HELMER, _and looks 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 her frequent instructions. She does not seem to hear
him; her hair comes down and falls 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 have believed 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 to-day or
to-morrow; you mustn'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 that kind now. Nothing horrid must come between us till 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
to-morrow night, 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.
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. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at
your service, you helpless little mortal. Ah, by the way, first of all I
will just--(_Goes toward 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, plays the first bars of the Tarantella_. HELMER _stops in the
doorway_. ) Aha!
_Nora_. I can't dance to-morrow 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 hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of
the stage and calls out_). Now play for me! I am going to dance!
(HELMER _plays and_ NORA _dances_. RANK _stands by the piano behind_
HELMER, _and looks 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 her frequent instructions. She does not seem to hear
him; her hair comes down and falls 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 have believed 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 to-day or
to-morrow; you mustn'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 that kind now. Nothing horrid must come between us till 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
to-morrow night, 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.
