I can't dance to-morrow if I don't
practise
with you.
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
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.
_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?
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.
_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?
