No More Learning

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! The dance is over;
we are not safe a moment longer.

_Krogstad_. I will wait for you below.

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, do. You must see me back to my door.

_Krogstad_. I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my
life! (_Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and
the hall remains open_. )

_Mrs. Linde_ (_tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready_).
What a difference! What a difference! Someone to work for and live
for--a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they
would be quick and come. (_Listens. _) Ah, there they are now. I must put
on my things. (_Takes up her hat and cloak_. HELMER'S _and_ NORA'S
_voices are heard outside; a key is turned, and_ HELMER _brings_ NORA
_almost by force into the hall. She is in an Italian costume with a
large black shawl round her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino
which is flying open_. )

_Nora_ (_hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him_). No, no,
no! --don't take me in. I want to go upstairs again; I don't want to
leave so early.

_Helmer_. But, my dearest Nora--

_Nora_. Please, Torvald dear--please, _please_--only an hour more.

_Helmer_. Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our
agreement. Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing
there. (_He brings her gently into the room, in spite of her
resistance_. )

_Mrs. Linde_. Good evening.

_Nora_. Christine!

_Helmer_. You here, so late, Mrs. Linde?

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in
her dress.

_Nora_. Have you been sitting here waiting for me?

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone
upstairs; and I thought I couldn't go away again without having seen
you.

_Helmer_ (_taking off_ NORA'S _shawl_). Yes, take a good look at her. I
think she is worth looking at. Isn't she charming, Mrs. Linde?

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, indeed she is.

_Helmer_. Doesn't she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought so at the
dance. But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What
are we to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost to
bring her away by force.

_Nora_. Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were
only for half an hour.

_Helmer_. Listen to her, Mrs. Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and
it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved--although possibly the
performance was a trifle too realistic--little more so, I mean, than
was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mind
about that! The chief thing is, she had made a success--she had made a
tremendous success. Do you think I was going to let her remain there
after that, and spoil the effect? No, indeed! I took my charming little
Capri maiden--my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say--on my
arm; took one quick turn round the room; a curtsey on either side, and,
as they say in novels, the beautiful apparition disappeared. An exit
ought always to be effective, Mrs. Linde; but that is what I cannot make
Nora understand. Pooh! this room is hot. (_Throws his domino on a chair,
and opens the door of his room_. ) Hullo! it's all dark in here. Oh, of
course--excuse me--. (_He goes in, and lights some candles_. )

_Nora_ (_in a hurried and breathless whisper_). Well?

_Mrs. Linde. _ (_in a low voice_). I have had a talk with him.

_Nora. _ Yes, and--

_Mrs. Linde_. Nora, you must tell your husband all about it.

_Nora_ (_in an expressionless voice_). I knew it.

_Mrs. Linde. _ You have nothing to be afraid of as far as Krogstad is
concerned; but you must tell him.

_Nora_. I won't tell him.

_Mrs. Linde_. Then the letter will.

_Nora_. Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I must do. Hush--!

_Helmer_ (_coming in again_). Well, Mrs. Linde, have you admired her?

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, and now I will say good-night.

_Helmer_. What, already? Is this yours, this knitting?

_Mrs. Linde_ (_taking it_). Yes, thank you, I had very nearly forgotten
it.

_Helmer_. So you knit?

_Mrs. Linde_. Of course.

_Helmer_. Do you know, you ought to embroider?

_Mrs. Linde_. Really? Why?

_Helmer_. Yes, it's far more becoming. Let me show you. You hold the
embroidery thus in your left hand, and use the needle with the
right--like this--with a long, easy sweep. Do you see?

_Mrs. Linde_. Yes, perhaps--

_Helmer_. But in the case of knitting--that can never be anything but
ungraceful; look here--the arms close together, the knitting-needles
going up and down--it has a sort of Chinese effect--. That was really
excellent champagne they gave us.

_Mrs. Linde_. Well,--good-night, Nora, and don't be self-willed any
more.

_Helmer_. That's right, Mrs. Linde.

_Mrs. Linde_. Good-night, Mr. Helmer.

_Helmer_ (_accompanying her to the door_). Good-night, good-night. I
hope you will get home all right. I should be very happy to--but you
haven't any great distance to go. Good-night, good-night.