But, mother, you
promised
us.
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
I am not afraid of you any longer, As soon as the New Year
comes, I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing.
_Krogstad_ (_controlling himself_). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If
necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I
were fighting for my life.
_Nora_. So it seems.
_Krogstad_. It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that
weighs least with me in the matter. There is another reason--well, I may
as well tell you. My position is this. I daresay you know, like
everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an
indiscretion.
_Nora_. I think I have heard something of the kind.
_Krogstad_. The matter never came into court; but every way seemed to be
closed to me after that. So I took to the business that you know of. I
had to do something; and, honestly, don't think I've been one of the
worst. But now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing
up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in
the town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me--and
now your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud.
_Nora_. But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to
help you at all.
_Krogstad_. Then it is because you haven't the will; but I have means to
compel you.
_Nora_. You don't mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you
money?
_Krogstad_. Hm! --suppose I were to tell him?
_Nora_. It would be perfectly infamous of you. (_Sobbing_. ) To think of
his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an
ugly, clumsy way--that he should learn it from you! And it would put me
in a horribly disagreeable position--
_Krogstad_. Only disagreeable?
_Nora_ (_impetuously_). Well, do it, then! --and it will be the worse for
you. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and you
certainly won't keep your post then.
_Krogstad_. I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that
you were afraid of?
_Nora_. If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once
pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with
you.
_Krogstad_ (_coming a step nearer_). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. Either
you have a very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall
be obliged to remind you of a few details.
_Nora_. What do you mean?
_Krogstad_. When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow two
hundred and fifty pounds.
_Nora_. I didn't know any one else to go to.
_Krogstad_. I promised to get you that amount--
_Nora_. Yes, and you did so.
_Krogstad_. I promised to get you that amount, on certain conditions.
Your mind was so taken up with your husband's illness, and you were so
anxious to get the money for your journey, that you seem to have paid no
attention to the conditions of our bargain. Therefore it will not be
amiss if I remind you of them. Now, I promised to get the money on the
security of a bond which I drew up.
_Nora_. Yes, and which I signed.
_Krogstad_. Good. But below your signature there were a few lines
constituting your father a surety for the money; those lines your father
should have signed.
_Nora_. Should? He did sign them.
_Krogstad_. I had left the date blank; that is to say your father should
himself have inserted the date on which he signed the paper. Do you
remember that?
_Nora_. Yes, I think I remember--
_Krogstad_. Then I gave you the bond to send by post to your father. Is
that not so?
_Nora_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days
afterwards you brought me the bond with your father's signature. And
then I gave you the money.
_Nora_. Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly?
_Krogstad_. Fairly so, yes. But--to come back to the matter in
hand--that must have been a very trying time for you, Mrs. Helmer?
_Nora_. It was, indeed.
_Krogstad_. Your father was very ill, wasn't he?
_Nora_. He was very near his end.
_Krogstad_. And died soon afterwards?
_Nora_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. Tell me, Mrs. Helmer, can you by any chance remember what
day your father died? --on what day of the month, I mean.
_Nora_. Papa died on the 29th of September.
_Krogstad_. That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And, as
that is so, there is a discrepancy (_taking a paper from his pocket_)
which I cannot account for.
_Nora_. What discrepancy? I don't know--
_Krogstad_. The discrepancy consists, Mrs. Helmer, in the fact that your
father signed this bond three days after his death.
_Nora_. What do you mean? I don't understand--
_Krogstad_. Your father died on the 29th of September. But, look here;
your father dated his signature the 2nd of October. It is a discrepancy,
isn't it? (NORA _is silent_. ) Can you explain it to me? (NORA _is still
silent_. ) It is a remarkable thing, too, that the words "2nd of
October," as well as the year, are not written in your father's
handwriting but in one that I think I know. Well, of course it can be
explained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and
someone else may have dated it haphazard before they knew of his death.
There is no harm in that. It all depends on the signature of the name;
and _that_ is genuine, I suppose, Mrs. Helmer? It was your father
himself who signed his name here?
_Nora_ (_after a short pause, throws her head up and looks defiantly at
him_). No, it was not. It was I that wrote papa's name.
_Krogstad_. Are you aware that is a dangerous confession?
_Nora_. In what way? You shall have your money soon.
_Krogstad_. Let me ask you a question; why did you not send the paper to
your father?
_Nora_. It was impossible; papa was so ill. If I had asked him for his
signature, I should have had to tell him what the money was to be used
for; and when he was so ill himself I couldn't tell him that my
husband's life was in danger--it was impossible.
_Krogstad_. It would have been better for you if you had given up your
trip abroad.
_Nora_. No, that was impossible. That trip was to save my husband's
life; I couldn't give that up.
_Krogstad_. But did it never occur to you that you were committing a
fraud on me?
_Nora_. I couldn't take that into account; I didn't trouble myself about
you at all. I couldn't bear you, because you put so many heartless
difficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerous condition my
husband was in.
_Krogstad_. Mrs. Helmer, you evidently do not realise clearly what it is
that you have been guilty of. But I can assure you that my one false
step, which lost me all my reputation, was nothing more or nothing worse
than what you have done.
_Nora_. You? Do you ask me to believe that you were brave enough to run
a risk to save your wife's life.
_Krogstad_. The law cares nothing about motives.
_Nora_. Then it must be a very foolish law.
_Krogstad_. Foolish or not, it is the law by which you will be judged,
if I produce this paper in court.
_Nora_. I don't believe it. Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her
dying father anxiety and care? Is a wife not to be allowed to save her
husband's life? I don't know much about law; but I am certain that there
must be laws permitting such things as that. Have you no knowledge of
such laws--you who are a lawyer? You must be a very poor lawyer, Mr.
Krogstad.
_Krogstad_. Maybe. But matters of business--such business as you and I
have had together--do you think I don't understand that? Very well. Do
as you please. But let me tell you this--if I lose my position a second
time, you shall lose yours with me. (_He bows, and goes out through the
hall_. )
_Nora_ (_appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her
head)_. Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that! --I am not so silly as
he thinks. (_Begins to busy herself putting the children's things in
order_. ) And yet--? No, it's impossible! I did it for love's sake.
_The Children_ (_in the doorway on the left. )_ Mother, the stranger man
has gone out through the gate.
_Nora_. Yes, dears, I know. But, don't tell anyone about the stranger
man. Do you hear? Not even papa.
_Children_. No, mother; but will you come and play again?
_Nora_. No no,--not now.
_ Children_.
But, mother, you promised us.
_Nora_. Yes, but I can't now. Run away in; I have such a lot to do. Run
away in, sweet little darlings. (_She gets them into the room by degrees
and shuts the door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a piece
of needlework and sews a few stitches, but soon stops_. ) No! (_Throws
down the work, gets up, goes to the hall door and calls out_. ) Helen,
bring the Tree in. (_Goes to the table on the left, opens a drawer, and
stops again_. ) No, no! it is quite impossible!
_Maid_ (_coming in with the Tree_). Where shall I put it, ma'am?
_Nora_. Here, in the middle of the floor.
_Maid_. Shall I get you anything else?
_Nora_. No, thank you. I have all I want.
[_Exit_ MAID
_Nora_ (_begins dressing the tree_). A candle here--and flowers here--.
The horrible man! It's all nonsense--there's nothing wrong. The Tree
shall be splendid! I will do everything I can think of to please you,
Torvald! --I will sing for you, dance for you--(HELMER _comes in with
some papers under his arm_. ) Oh! are you back already?
_Helmer_. Yes. Has anyone been here?
_Nora_. Here? No.
_Helmer_. That is strange. I saw Krogstad going out of the gate.
_Nora_. Did you? Oh yes, I forgot Krogstad was here for a moment.
_Helmer_. Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been here begging
you to say a good word for him.
_Nora_. Yes.
_Helmer_. And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were
to conceal from me the fact of his having been here; didn't he beg that
of you too?
_Nora_. Yes, Torvald, but--
_Helmer_. Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort of thing? To
have any talk with a man like that, and give him any sort of promise?
And to tell me a lie into the bargain?
_Nora_. A lie--?
_Helmer_. Didn't you tell me no one had been here? (_Shakes his finger
at her_. ) My little song-bird must never do that again. A song-bird must
have a clean beak to chirp with--no false notes! (_Puts his arm round
her waist. _) That is so, isn't it? Yes, I am sure it is. (_Lets her
go_. ) We will say no more about it. (_Sits down by the stove_. ) How warm
and snug it is here! (_Turns over his papers_. )
_Nora_ (_after a short pause, during which she busies herself with the
Christmas Tree_). Torvald!
_Helmer_. Yes.
_Nora_: I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy dress ball at the
Stensborgs' the day after tomorrow.
_Helmer_. And I am tremendously curious to see what you are going to
surprise me with.
_Nora_. It was very silly of me to want to do that.
_Helmer_. What do you mean?
_Nora_. I can't hit upon anything that will do; everything I think of
seems so silly and insignificant.
_Helmer_. Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?
_Nora_ (_standing behind his chair with her arms on the back of it_).
Are you very busy, Torvald?
_Helmer_. Well--
_Nora_. What are all those papers?
_Helmer_. Bank business.
_Nora_. Already?
_Helmer_. I have got authority from the retiring manager to undertake
the necessary changes in the staff and in the rearrangement of the work;
and I must make use of the Christmas week for that, so as to have
everything in order for the new year.
_Nora_. Then that was why this poor Krogstad--
_Helmer_. Hm!
_Nora_ (_leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair_). If
you hadn't been so busy I should have asked you a tremendously big
favour, Torvald.
_Helmer_. What is that? Tell me.
_Nora_. There is no one has such good taste as you. And I do so want to
look nice at the fancy-dress ball. Torvald, couldn't you take me in hand
and decide what I shall go as, and what sort of a dress I shall wear?
_Helmer_. Aha! so my obstinate little woman is obliged to get someone to
come to her rescue?
_Nora_. Yes, Torvald, I can't get along a bit without your help.
_Helmer_ Very well, I will think it over, we shall manage to hit upon
something.
_Nora_. That _is_ nice of you. (_Goes to the Christmas Tree. A short
pause. )_ How pretty the red flowers look--. But, tell me, was it really
something very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of?
_Helmer_. He forged someone's name. Have you any idea what that means?
_Nora_. Isn't it possible that he was driven to do it by necessity?
_Helmer_. Yes; or, as in so many cases, by imprudence. I am not so
heartless as to condemn a man altogether because of a single false step
of that kind.
_Nora_. No you wouldn't, would you, Torvald?
_Helmer_. Many a man has been able to retrieve his character, if he has
openly confessed his fault and taken his punishment.
_Nora_. Punishment--?
_Helmer_. But Krogstad did nothing of that sort; he got himself out of
it by a cunning trick, and that is why he has gone under altogether.
_Nora_. But do you think it would--?
_Helmer_. Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and play the
hypocrite with everyone, how he has to wear a mask in the presence of
those near and dear to him, even before his own wife and children. And
about the children--that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora.
_Nora_. How?
_Helmer_. Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the
whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is
full of the germs of evil.
_Nora_ (_coming nearer him_). Are you sure of that?
_Helmer_. My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life as a
lawyer. Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a
deceitful mother.
_Nora_. Why do you only say--mother?
_Helmer_. It seems most commonly to be the mother's influence, though
naturally a bad father's would have the same result. Every lawyer is
familiar with the fact. This Krogstad, now, has been persistently
poisoning his own children with lies and dissimulation; that is why I
say he has lost all moral character. (_Holds out his hands to her. )_
That is why my sweet little Nora must promise me not to plead his cause.
Give me your hand on it. Come, come, what is this? Give me your hand.
There now, that's settled. I assure you it would be quite impossible for
me to work with him; I literally feel physically ill when I am in the
company of such people.
_Nora_ (_takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side of the
Christmas Tree_). How hot it is in here; and I have such a lot to do.
_Helmer_ (_getting up and putting his papers in order_). Yes, and I must
try and read through some of these before dinner; and I must think about
your costume, too. And it is just possible I may have something ready in
gold paper to hang up on the Tree. (_Puts his hand on her head. )_ My
precious little singing-bird! (_He goes into his room and shuts the door
after him. )_
_Nora_ (_after a pause, whispers_). No, no--it isn't true. It's
impossible; it must be impossible.
(_The_ NURSE _opens the door on the left. _)
_Nurse_. The little ones are begging so hard to be allowed to come in to
mamma.
_Nora_. No, no, no! Don't let them come in to me! You stay with them,
Anne.
_Nurse_. Very well, ma'am. (_Shuts the door. _)
_Nora_ (_pale with terror_). Deprave my little children? Poison my home?
(_A short pause. Then she tosses her head. _) It's not true. It can't
possibly be true.
ACT II
(THE SAME SCENE--_The Christmas Tree is in the corner by the piano,
stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-ends on its
dishevelled branches. _ NORA'S _cloak and hat are lying on the sofa. She
is alone in the room, walking about uneasily. She stops by the sofa and
takes up her cloak. _)
_Nora_ (_drops the cloak_). Someone is coming now! (_Goes to the door
and listens. _) No--it is no one. Of course, no one will come today,
Christmas Day--nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps--(_opens the door and
looks out_. ) No, nothing in the letter-box; it is quite empty.
comes, I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing.
_Krogstad_ (_controlling himself_). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If
necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I
were fighting for my life.
_Nora_. So it seems.
_Krogstad_. It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that
weighs least with me in the matter. There is another reason--well, I may
as well tell you. My position is this. I daresay you know, like
everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an
indiscretion.
_Nora_. I think I have heard something of the kind.
_Krogstad_. The matter never came into court; but every way seemed to be
closed to me after that. So I took to the business that you know of. I
had to do something; and, honestly, don't think I've been one of the
worst. But now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing
up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in
the town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me--and
now your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud.
_Nora_. But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to
help you at all.
_Krogstad_. Then it is because you haven't the will; but I have means to
compel you.
_Nora_. You don't mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you
money?
_Krogstad_. Hm! --suppose I were to tell him?
_Nora_. It would be perfectly infamous of you. (_Sobbing_. ) To think of
his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an
ugly, clumsy way--that he should learn it from you! And it would put me
in a horribly disagreeable position--
_Krogstad_. Only disagreeable?
_Nora_ (_impetuously_). Well, do it, then! --and it will be the worse for
you. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and you
certainly won't keep your post then.
_Krogstad_. I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that
you were afraid of?
_Nora_. If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once
pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with
you.
_Krogstad_ (_coming a step nearer_). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. Either
you have a very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall
be obliged to remind you of a few details.
_Nora_. What do you mean?
_Krogstad_. When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow two
hundred and fifty pounds.
_Nora_. I didn't know any one else to go to.
_Krogstad_. I promised to get you that amount--
_Nora_. Yes, and you did so.
_Krogstad_. I promised to get you that amount, on certain conditions.
Your mind was so taken up with your husband's illness, and you were so
anxious to get the money for your journey, that you seem to have paid no
attention to the conditions of our bargain. Therefore it will not be
amiss if I remind you of them. Now, I promised to get the money on the
security of a bond which I drew up.
_Nora_. Yes, and which I signed.
_Krogstad_. Good. But below your signature there were a few lines
constituting your father a surety for the money; those lines your father
should have signed.
_Nora_. Should? He did sign them.
_Krogstad_. I had left the date blank; that is to say your father should
himself have inserted the date on which he signed the paper. Do you
remember that?
_Nora_. Yes, I think I remember--
_Krogstad_. Then I gave you the bond to send by post to your father. Is
that not so?
_Nora_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days
afterwards you brought me the bond with your father's signature. And
then I gave you the money.
_Nora_. Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly?
_Krogstad_. Fairly so, yes. But--to come back to the matter in
hand--that must have been a very trying time for you, Mrs. Helmer?
_Nora_. It was, indeed.
_Krogstad_. Your father was very ill, wasn't he?
_Nora_. He was very near his end.
_Krogstad_. And died soon afterwards?
_Nora_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. Tell me, Mrs. Helmer, can you by any chance remember what
day your father died? --on what day of the month, I mean.
_Nora_. Papa died on the 29th of September.
_Krogstad_. That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And, as
that is so, there is a discrepancy (_taking a paper from his pocket_)
which I cannot account for.
_Nora_. What discrepancy? I don't know--
_Krogstad_. The discrepancy consists, Mrs. Helmer, in the fact that your
father signed this bond three days after his death.
_Nora_. What do you mean? I don't understand--
_Krogstad_. Your father died on the 29th of September. But, look here;
your father dated his signature the 2nd of October. It is a discrepancy,
isn't it? (NORA _is silent_. ) Can you explain it to me? (NORA _is still
silent_. ) It is a remarkable thing, too, that the words "2nd of
October," as well as the year, are not written in your father's
handwriting but in one that I think I know. Well, of course it can be
explained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and
someone else may have dated it haphazard before they knew of his death.
There is no harm in that. It all depends on the signature of the name;
and _that_ is genuine, I suppose, Mrs. Helmer? It was your father
himself who signed his name here?
_Nora_ (_after a short pause, throws her head up and looks defiantly at
him_). No, it was not. It was I that wrote papa's name.
_Krogstad_. Are you aware that is a dangerous confession?
_Nora_. In what way? You shall have your money soon.
_Krogstad_. Let me ask you a question; why did you not send the paper to
your father?
_Nora_. It was impossible; papa was so ill. If I had asked him for his
signature, I should have had to tell him what the money was to be used
for; and when he was so ill himself I couldn't tell him that my
husband's life was in danger--it was impossible.
_Krogstad_. It would have been better for you if you had given up your
trip abroad.
_Nora_. No, that was impossible. That trip was to save my husband's
life; I couldn't give that up.
_Krogstad_. But did it never occur to you that you were committing a
fraud on me?
_Nora_. I couldn't take that into account; I didn't trouble myself about
you at all. I couldn't bear you, because you put so many heartless
difficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerous condition my
husband was in.
_Krogstad_. Mrs. Helmer, you evidently do not realise clearly what it is
that you have been guilty of. But I can assure you that my one false
step, which lost me all my reputation, was nothing more or nothing worse
than what you have done.
_Nora_. You? Do you ask me to believe that you were brave enough to run
a risk to save your wife's life.
_Krogstad_. The law cares nothing about motives.
_Nora_. Then it must be a very foolish law.
_Krogstad_. Foolish or not, it is the law by which you will be judged,
if I produce this paper in court.
_Nora_. I don't believe it. Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her
dying father anxiety and care? Is a wife not to be allowed to save her
husband's life? I don't know much about law; but I am certain that there
must be laws permitting such things as that. Have you no knowledge of
such laws--you who are a lawyer? You must be a very poor lawyer, Mr.
Krogstad.
_Krogstad_. Maybe. But matters of business--such business as you and I
have had together--do you think I don't understand that? Very well. Do
as you please. But let me tell you this--if I lose my position a second
time, you shall lose yours with me. (_He bows, and goes out through the
hall_. )
_Nora_ (_appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her
head)_. Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that! --I am not so silly as
he thinks. (_Begins to busy herself putting the children's things in
order_. ) And yet--? No, it's impossible! I did it for love's sake.
_The Children_ (_in the doorway on the left. )_ Mother, the stranger man
has gone out through the gate.
_Nora_. Yes, dears, I know. But, don't tell anyone about the stranger
man. Do you hear? Not even papa.
_Children_. No, mother; but will you come and play again?
_Nora_. No no,--not now.
_ Children_.
But, mother, you promised us.
_Nora_. Yes, but I can't now. Run away in; I have such a lot to do. Run
away in, sweet little darlings. (_She gets them into the room by degrees
and shuts the door on them; then sits down on the sofa, takes up a piece
of needlework and sews a few stitches, but soon stops_. ) No! (_Throws
down the work, gets up, goes to the hall door and calls out_. ) Helen,
bring the Tree in. (_Goes to the table on the left, opens a drawer, and
stops again_. ) No, no! it is quite impossible!
_Maid_ (_coming in with the Tree_). Where shall I put it, ma'am?
_Nora_. Here, in the middle of the floor.
_Maid_. Shall I get you anything else?
_Nora_. No, thank you. I have all I want.
[_Exit_ MAID
_Nora_ (_begins dressing the tree_). A candle here--and flowers here--.
The horrible man! It's all nonsense--there's nothing wrong. The Tree
shall be splendid! I will do everything I can think of to please you,
Torvald! --I will sing for you, dance for you--(HELMER _comes in with
some papers under his arm_. ) Oh! are you back already?
_Helmer_. Yes. Has anyone been here?
_Nora_. Here? No.
_Helmer_. That is strange. I saw Krogstad going out of the gate.
_Nora_. Did you? Oh yes, I forgot Krogstad was here for a moment.
_Helmer_. Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been here begging
you to say a good word for him.
_Nora_. Yes.
_Helmer_. And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; you were
to conceal from me the fact of his having been here; didn't he beg that
of you too?
_Nora_. Yes, Torvald, but--
_Helmer_. Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort of thing? To
have any talk with a man like that, and give him any sort of promise?
And to tell me a lie into the bargain?
_Nora_. A lie--?
_Helmer_. Didn't you tell me no one had been here? (_Shakes his finger
at her_. ) My little song-bird must never do that again. A song-bird must
have a clean beak to chirp with--no false notes! (_Puts his arm round
her waist. _) That is so, isn't it? Yes, I am sure it is. (_Lets her
go_. ) We will say no more about it. (_Sits down by the stove_. ) How warm
and snug it is here! (_Turns over his papers_. )
_Nora_ (_after a short pause, during which she busies herself with the
Christmas Tree_). Torvald!
_Helmer_. Yes.
_Nora_: I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy dress ball at the
Stensborgs' the day after tomorrow.
_Helmer_. And I am tremendously curious to see what you are going to
surprise me with.
_Nora_. It was very silly of me to want to do that.
_Helmer_. What do you mean?
_Nora_. I can't hit upon anything that will do; everything I think of
seems so silly and insignificant.
_Helmer_. Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?
_Nora_ (_standing behind his chair with her arms on the back of it_).
Are you very busy, Torvald?
_Helmer_. Well--
_Nora_. What are all those papers?
_Helmer_. Bank business.
_Nora_. Already?
_Helmer_. I have got authority from the retiring manager to undertake
the necessary changes in the staff and in the rearrangement of the work;
and I must make use of the Christmas week for that, so as to have
everything in order for the new year.
_Nora_. Then that was why this poor Krogstad--
_Helmer_. Hm!
_Nora_ (_leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair_). If
you hadn't been so busy I should have asked you a tremendously big
favour, Torvald.
_Helmer_. What is that? Tell me.
_Nora_. There is no one has such good taste as you. And I do so want to
look nice at the fancy-dress ball. Torvald, couldn't you take me in hand
and decide what I shall go as, and what sort of a dress I shall wear?
_Helmer_. Aha! so my obstinate little woman is obliged to get someone to
come to her rescue?
_Nora_. Yes, Torvald, I can't get along a bit without your help.
_Helmer_ Very well, I will think it over, we shall manage to hit upon
something.
_Nora_. That _is_ nice of you. (_Goes to the Christmas Tree. A short
pause. )_ How pretty the red flowers look--. But, tell me, was it really
something very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of?
_Helmer_. He forged someone's name. Have you any idea what that means?
_Nora_. Isn't it possible that he was driven to do it by necessity?
_Helmer_. Yes; or, as in so many cases, by imprudence. I am not so
heartless as to condemn a man altogether because of a single false step
of that kind.
_Nora_. No you wouldn't, would you, Torvald?
_Helmer_. Many a man has been able to retrieve his character, if he has
openly confessed his fault and taken his punishment.
_Nora_. Punishment--?
_Helmer_. But Krogstad did nothing of that sort; he got himself out of
it by a cunning trick, and that is why he has gone under altogether.
_Nora_. But do you think it would--?
_Helmer_. Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and play the
hypocrite with everyone, how he has to wear a mask in the presence of
those near and dear to him, even before his own wife and children. And
about the children--that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora.
_Nora_. How?
_Helmer_. Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the
whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is
full of the germs of evil.
_Nora_ (_coming nearer him_). Are you sure of that?
_Helmer_. My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life as a
lawyer. Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a
deceitful mother.
_Nora_. Why do you only say--mother?
_Helmer_. It seems most commonly to be the mother's influence, though
naturally a bad father's would have the same result. Every lawyer is
familiar with the fact. This Krogstad, now, has been persistently
poisoning his own children with lies and dissimulation; that is why I
say he has lost all moral character. (_Holds out his hands to her. )_
That is why my sweet little Nora must promise me not to plead his cause.
Give me your hand on it. Come, come, what is this? Give me your hand.
There now, that's settled. I assure you it would be quite impossible for
me to work with him; I literally feel physically ill when I am in the
company of such people.
_Nora_ (_takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side of the
Christmas Tree_). How hot it is in here; and I have such a lot to do.
_Helmer_ (_getting up and putting his papers in order_). Yes, and I must
try and read through some of these before dinner; and I must think about
your costume, too. And it is just possible I may have something ready in
gold paper to hang up on the Tree. (_Puts his hand on her head. )_ My
precious little singing-bird! (_He goes into his room and shuts the door
after him. )_
_Nora_ (_after a pause, whispers_). No, no--it isn't true. It's
impossible; it must be impossible.
(_The_ NURSE _opens the door on the left. _)
_Nurse_. The little ones are begging so hard to be allowed to come in to
mamma.
_Nora_. No, no, no! Don't let them come in to me! You stay with them,
Anne.
_Nurse_. Very well, ma'am. (_Shuts the door. _)
_Nora_ (_pale with terror_). Deprave my little children? Poison my home?
(_A short pause. Then she tosses her head. _) It's not true. It can't
possibly be true.
ACT II
(THE SAME SCENE--_The Christmas Tree is in the corner by the piano,
stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-ends on its
dishevelled branches. _ NORA'S _cloak and hat are lying on the sofa. She
is alone in the room, walking about uneasily. She stops by the sofa and
takes up her cloak. _)
_Nora_ (_drops the cloak_). Someone is coming now! (_Goes to the door
and listens. _) No--it is no one. Of course, no one will come today,
Christmas Day--nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps--(_opens the door and
looks out_. ) No, nothing in the letter-box; it is quite empty.
