No, you have never
properly
understood me.
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
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.
_Helmer_. Hullo! --are we going to have a banquet? (_Exit. _)
_Nora_. Yes, a champagne banquet till the small hours. (_Calls out_. )
And a few macaroons, Helen--lots, just for once!
_Helmer_. Come, come, don't be so wild and nervous. Be my own little
skylark, as you used.
_Nora_. Yes, dear, I will. But go in now and you too, Doctor Rank.
Christine, you must, help me to do up my hair.
_Rank_ (_whispers to_ HELMER _as they go out_). I suppose there is
nothing--she is not expecting anything?
_Helmer_. Far from it, my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more than
this childish nervousness I was telling you of. (_They go into the
right-hand room_. )
_Nora_. Well!
_Mrs. Linde_. Gone out of town.
_Nora_. I could tell from your face.
_Mrs. Linde_. He is coming home tomorrow evening. I wrote a note for
him.
_Nora_. You should have let it alone; you must prevent nothing. After
all, it is splendid to be waiting for a wonderful thing to happen.
_Mrs. Linde_. What is it that you are waiting for?
_Nora_, Oh, you wouldn't understand. Go in to them. I will come in a
moment. (MRS. LINDE _goes into the dining-room. _ NORA _stands still for
a little while, as if to compose herself. Then she looks at her watch_. )
Five o'clock. Seven hours till midnight; and then four-and-twenty hours
till the next midnight. Then the Tarantella will be over. Twenty-four
and seven? Thirty-one hours to live.
_Helmer_ (_from the doorway on the right_). Where's my little skylark?
_Nora_ (_going to him with her arms out-stretched_). Here she is!
ACT III
(THE SAME SCENE--_The table has been placed in the middle of the stage,
with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the
hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above_. MRS. LINDE
_is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she
tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now
and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door_. )
_Mrs. Linde_ (_looking at her watch_). Not yet--and the time is nearly
up. If only he does not--. (_Listens again_. ) Ah, there he is. (_Goes
into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are
heard on the stairs. She whispers_. ) Come in. There is no one here.
_Krogstad_ (_in the doorway_). I found a note from you at home. What
does this mean?
_Mrs. Linde_. It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with
you.
_Krogstad_. Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be
here?
_Mrs. Linde_. It is impossible where I live; there is no private
entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep,
and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.
_Krogstad_ (_coming into the room_). Are the Helmers really at a dance
tonight?
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, why not?
_Krogstad_. Certainly--why not?
_Mrs. Linde_. Now, Nils, let us have a talk.
_Krogstad_. Can we two have anything to talk about?
_Mrs. Linde_. We have a great deal to talk about.
_Krogstad_. I shouldn't have thought so.
_Mrs. Linde_.
No, you have never properly understood me.
_Krogstad_. Was there anything else to understand except what was
obvious to all the world--a heartless woman jilts a man when a more
lucrative chance turns up.
_Mrs. Linde_. Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that?
And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?
_Krogstad_. Didn't you?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, did you really think that?
_Krogstad_. If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at
the time?
_Mrs. Linde_. I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it
was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.
_Krogstad_ (_wringing his hands_). So that was it. And all this--only
for the sake of money.
_Mrs. Linde_. You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two
little brothers. We couldn't wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed
hopeless then.
_Krogstad_. That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for
any one else's sake.
_Mrs. Linde_. Indeed I don't know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had
a right to do it.
_Krogstad_ (_more gently_). When I lost you, it was as if all the solid
ground went from under my feet. Look at me now--I am a shipwrecked man
clinging to a bit of wreckage.
_Mrs. Linde_. But help may be near.
_Krogstad_. It _was_ near; but then you came and stood in my way.
_Mrs. Linde_. Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learnt it
was your place I was going to take in the bank.
_Krogstad_. I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are
you not going to give it up to me?
_Mrs. Linde_. No, because that would not benefit you in the least.
_Krogstad_. Oh, benefit, benefit--I would have done it whether or no.
_Mrs. Linde_. I have learnt to act prudently. Life, and hard, bitter
necessity have taught me that.
_Krogstad_. And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches.
_Mrs. Linde_. Then life has taught you something very reasonable. But
deeds you must believe in?
_Krogstad_. What do you mean by that?
_Mrs. Linde_. You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some
wreckage.
_Krogstad_. I had good reason to say so.
_Mrs. Linde_. Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some
wreckage--no one to mourn for, no one to care for.
_Krogstad_. It was your own choice.
_Mrs. Linde_. There was no other choice, then.
_Krogstad_. Well, what now?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked people could
join forces?
_Krogstad_. What are you saying?
_Mrs. Linde_. Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better
chance than each on their own.
_Krogstad_. Christine!
_Mrs. Linde_. What do you suppose brought me to town?
_Krogstad_. Do you mean that you gave me a thought?
_Mrs. Linde_. I could not endure life without work. All my life, as long
as I can remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only
pleasure. But now I am quite alone in the world--my life is so dreadfully
empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working
for one's self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for.
_Krogstad_. I don't trust that. It is nothing but a woman's overstrained
sense of generosity that prompts you to make such an offer of your self.
_Mrs. Linde_. Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me?
_Krogstad_. Could you really do it? Tell me--do you know all about my
past life?
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. And do you know what they think of me here?
_Mrs. Linde_. You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been
quite another man.
_Krogstad_. I am certain of it.
_Mrs. Linde_. Is it too late now?
_Krogstad_. Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure
you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then--?
_Mrs. Linde_. I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a
mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real
character--I can dare anything together with you.
_Krogstad_ (_grasps her hands_). Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall
find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot--
_Mrs. Linde_ (_listening_). Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go!
_Krogstad_. Why? What is it?
_Mrs. Linde_. Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we may
expect them back.
_Krogstad_. Yes, yes--I will go. But it is all no use. Of course you are
not aware what steps I have taken in the matter of the Helmers.
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, I know all about that.
_Krogstad_. And in spite of that have you the courage to--?
_Mrs. Linde_. I understand very well to what lengths a man like you
might be driven by despair.
_Krogstad_. If I could only undo what I have done!
_Mrs. Linde_. You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter-box now.
_Krogstad_. Are you sure of that?
_Mrs. Linde_. Quite sure, but--
_Krogstad_ (_with a searching look at her_). Is that what it all
means? --that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly.
Is that it?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another's
sake, doesn't do it a second time.
_Krogstad_. I will ask for my letter back.
_Mrs. Linde_. No, no.
_Krogstad_. Yes, of course I will. I will wait here till Helmer comes; I
will tell him he must give me my letter back--that it only concerns my
dismissal--that he is not to read it--
_Mrs. Linde_. No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.
_Krogstad. _ But, tell me, wasn't it for that very purpose that you asked
me to meet you here?
_Mrs. Linde_. In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four
hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed
incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This
unhappy secret must be enclosed; they must have a complete understanding
between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and
falsehood going on.
_Krogstad_. Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is
one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_listening_). You must be quick and go!
_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.
_Helmer_. Hullo! --are we going to have a banquet? (_Exit. _)
_Nora_. Yes, a champagne banquet till the small hours. (_Calls out_. )
And a few macaroons, Helen--lots, just for once!
_Helmer_. Come, come, don't be so wild and nervous. Be my own little
skylark, as you used.
_Nora_. Yes, dear, I will. But go in now and you too, Doctor Rank.
Christine, you must, help me to do up my hair.
_Rank_ (_whispers to_ HELMER _as they go out_). I suppose there is
nothing--she is not expecting anything?
_Helmer_. Far from it, my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more than
this childish nervousness I was telling you of. (_They go into the
right-hand room_. )
_Nora_. Well!
_Mrs. Linde_. Gone out of town.
_Nora_. I could tell from your face.
_Mrs. Linde_. He is coming home tomorrow evening. I wrote a note for
him.
_Nora_. You should have let it alone; you must prevent nothing. After
all, it is splendid to be waiting for a wonderful thing to happen.
_Mrs. Linde_. What is it that you are waiting for?
_Nora_, Oh, you wouldn't understand. Go in to them. I will come in a
moment. (MRS. LINDE _goes into the dining-room. _ NORA _stands still for
a little while, as if to compose herself. Then she looks at her watch_. )
Five o'clock. Seven hours till midnight; and then four-and-twenty hours
till the next midnight. Then the Tarantella will be over. Twenty-four
and seven? Thirty-one hours to live.
_Helmer_ (_from the doorway on the right_). Where's my little skylark?
_Nora_ (_going to him with her arms out-stretched_). Here she is!
ACT III
(THE SAME SCENE--_The table has been placed in the middle of the stage,
with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the
hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above_. MRS. LINDE
_is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she
tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now
and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door_. )
_Mrs. Linde_ (_looking at her watch_). Not yet--and the time is nearly
up. If only he does not--. (_Listens again_. ) Ah, there he is. (_Goes
into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are
heard on the stairs. She whispers_. ) Come in. There is no one here.
_Krogstad_ (_in the doorway_). I found a note from you at home. What
does this mean?
_Mrs. Linde_. It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with
you.
_Krogstad_. Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be
here?
_Mrs. Linde_. It is impossible where I live; there is no private
entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep,
and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.
_Krogstad_ (_coming into the room_). Are the Helmers really at a dance
tonight?
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, why not?
_Krogstad_. Certainly--why not?
_Mrs. Linde_. Now, Nils, let us have a talk.
_Krogstad_. Can we two have anything to talk about?
_Mrs. Linde_. We have a great deal to talk about.
_Krogstad_. I shouldn't have thought so.
_Mrs. Linde_.
No, you have never properly understood me.
_Krogstad_. Was there anything else to understand except what was
obvious to all the world--a heartless woman jilts a man when a more
lucrative chance turns up.
_Mrs. Linde_. Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that?
And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?
_Krogstad_. Didn't you?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, did you really think that?
_Krogstad_. If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at
the time?
_Mrs. Linde_. I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it
was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.
_Krogstad_ (_wringing his hands_). So that was it. And all this--only
for the sake of money.
_Mrs. Linde_. You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two
little brothers. We couldn't wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed
hopeless then.
_Krogstad_. That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for
any one else's sake.
_Mrs. Linde_. Indeed I don't know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had
a right to do it.
_Krogstad_ (_more gently_). When I lost you, it was as if all the solid
ground went from under my feet. Look at me now--I am a shipwrecked man
clinging to a bit of wreckage.
_Mrs. Linde_. But help may be near.
_Krogstad_. It _was_ near; but then you came and stood in my way.
_Mrs. Linde_. Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learnt it
was your place I was going to take in the bank.
_Krogstad_. I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are
you not going to give it up to me?
_Mrs. Linde_. No, because that would not benefit you in the least.
_Krogstad_. Oh, benefit, benefit--I would have done it whether or no.
_Mrs. Linde_. I have learnt to act prudently. Life, and hard, bitter
necessity have taught me that.
_Krogstad_. And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches.
_Mrs. Linde_. Then life has taught you something very reasonable. But
deeds you must believe in?
_Krogstad_. What do you mean by that?
_Mrs. Linde_. You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some
wreckage.
_Krogstad_. I had good reason to say so.
_Mrs. Linde_. Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some
wreckage--no one to mourn for, no one to care for.
_Krogstad_. It was your own choice.
_Mrs. Linde_. There was no other choice, then.
_Krogstad_. Well, what now?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked people could
join forces?
_Krogstad_. What are you saying?
_Mrs. Linde_. Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better
chance than each on their own.
_Krogstad_. Christine!
_Mrs. Linde_. What do you suppose brought me to town?
_Krogstad_. Do you mean that you gave me a thought?
_Mrs. Linde_. I could not endure life without work. All my life, as long
as I can remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only
pleasure. But now I am quite alone in the world--my life is so dreadfully
empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working
for one's self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for.
_Krogstad_. I don't trust that. It is nothing but a woman's overstrained
sense of generosity that prompts you to make such an offer of your self.
_Mrs. Linde_. Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me?
_Krogstad_. Could you really do it? Tell me--do you know all about my
past life?
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes.
_Krogstad_. And do you know what they think of me here?
_Mrs. Linde_. You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been
quite another man.
_Krogstad_. I am certain of it.
_Mrs. Linde_. Is it too late now?
_Krogstad_. Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure
you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then--?
_Mrs. Linde_. I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a
mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real
character--I can dare anything together with you.
_Krogstad_ (_grasps her hands_). Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall
find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot--
_Mrs. Linde_ (_listening_). Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go!
_Krogstad_. Why? What is it?
_Mrs. Linde_. Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we may
expect them back.
_Krogstad_. Yes, yes--I will go. But it is all no use. Of course you are
not aware what steps I have taken in the matter of the Helmers.
_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, I know all about that.
_Krogstad_. And in spite of that have you the courage to--?
_Mrs. Linde_. I understand very well to what lengths a man like you
might be driven by despair.
_Krogstad_. If I could only undo what I have done!
_Mrs. Linde_. You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter-box now.
_Krogstad_. Are you sure of that?
_Mrs. Linde_. Quite sure, but--
_Krogstad_ (_with a searching look at her_). Is that what it all
means? --that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly.
Is that it?
_Mrs. Linde_. Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another's
sake, doesn't do it a second time.
_Krogstad_. I will ask for my letter back.
_Mrs. Linde_. No, no.
_Krogstad_. Yes, of course I will. I will wait here till Helmer comes; I
will tell him he must give me my letter back--that it only concerns my
dismissal--that he is not to read it--
_Mrs. Linde_. No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.
_Krogstad. _ But, tell me, wasn't it for that very purpose that you asked
me to meet you here?
_Mrs. Linde_. In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four
hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed
incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This
unhappy secret must be enclosed; they must have a complete understanding
between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and
falsehood going on.
_Krogstad_. Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is
one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.
_Mrs. Linde_ (_listening_). You must be quick and go!
