Henrik Ibsen

“ NoraYou never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. We ought to be so well off, so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no cares—you and I and the children, Torvald! That is why I beg you so earnestly— HelmerAnd it is just by interceding for him that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Is it to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife's bidding— NoraAnd what if it did? ”

“ HelmerMy dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs Linde shall have. NoraYes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you could just as well dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad. HelmerThis is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose to give him a thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I am expected to— NoraThat isn't the reason, Torvald. It is for your own sake. This fellow writes in the most scurrilous newspapers; you have told me so yourself. He can do you an unspeakable amount of harm. ”

“ Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please. KrogstadCertainly—all the respect he deserves. But since you have kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that you have a little clearer idea, than you had yesterday, of what it actually is that you have done? NoraMore than you could ever teach me. KrogstadYes, such a bad lawyer as I am. NoraWhat is it you want of me? KrogstadOnly to see how you were, Mrs Helmer. I have been thinking about you all day long. A mere cashier, a quill-driver, a—well, a man like me—even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know. ”

“ Your husband must make a place for me— NoraThat he will never do! KrogstadHe 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 [putting her arms round her neck] Dear old Anne, you were a good mother to me when I was little. NurseLittle Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me. NoraAnd if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would— What nonsense I am talking! [Opens the box.] Go in to them. Now I must—. You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look. NurseI am sure there will be no one at the ball so charming as you, ma'am. [Goes into the room on the left.] Nora [begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from her] ; If only I dared go out; If only no one would come ”

“ A man can put a thing like that straight much easier than a woman— Mrs LindeOne's husband, yes. NoraNonsense! [Standing still.] When you pay off a debt you get your bond back, don't you? Mrs LindeYes, as a matter of course. NoraAnd can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up—the nasty dirty paper! Mrs Linde [looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly] Nora, you are concealing something from me. NoraDo I look as if I were? Mrs LindeSomething has happened to you since yesterday morning Nora, what is it? Nora [going nearer to her] Christine! ”

“ NoraShe has only come to sew my dress for me. Bless my soul, how unreasonable you are! [Sits down on the sofa.] Be nice now, Doctor Rank, and tomorrow you will see how beautifully I shall dance, and you can imagine I am doing it all for you—and for Torvald too, of course. [Takes various things out of the box.] Doctor Rank, come and sit down here, and I will show you something. Rank [sitting down] What is it? NoraJust look at those! RankSilk stockings. NoraFlesh-coloured. Aren't they lovely? It is so dark here now, but tomorrow—. No, no, no! you must only look at the feet. ”

“ You know very well Torvald can't do without you. RankYes, but you? NoraOh, I am always tremendously pleased when you come. RankIt is just that, that put me on the wrong track. You are a riddle to me. I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer's. NoraYes—you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom one would almost always rather have as companions. ”

“ Helmer [calls from his room, knocking at the door] Nora! Nora [cries out anxiously] . Oh, what's that? What do you want? HelmerDon't be so frightened. We are not coming in; you have locked the door. Are you trying on your dress? NoraYes, that's it. I look so nice, Torvald. Mrs Linde [who has read the card] I see he lives at the corner here. NoraYes, but it's no use. It is hopeless. The letter is lying there in the box. Mrs LindeAnd your husband keeps the key? ”

“ NoraI mean a tremendously big favour— RankWould you really make me so happy for once? NoraAh, but you don't know what it is yet. RankNo—but tell me. NoraI really can't, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it means advice, and help, and a favour— RankThe bigger a thing it is the better. ”

“ NurseOh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything. NoraDo you think so? Do you think they would forget their mother if she went away altogether? NurseGood heavens!—went away altogether? NoraNurse, I want you to tell me something I have often wondered about—how could you have the heart to put your own child out among strangers? NurseI was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora's nurse. NoraYes, but how could you be willing to do it? NurseWhat, when I was going to get such a good place by it? A poor girl who has got into trouble should be glad to. ”

“ Ah! there is someone coming—. [Makes a movement towards the door, but stands irresolute.] [Enter Mrs Linde from the hall, where she has taken off her cloak and hat.]
NoraOh, it's you, Christine. There is no one else out there, is there? How good of you to come! Mrs LindeI heard you were up asking for me. NoraYes, I was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is something you could help me with. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Look here. Tomorrow evening there is to be a fancy-dress ball at the Stenborgs', who live above us ”

“ Ah, by the way, first of all I will just— [Goes towards the hall door.] NoraWhat are you going to do there? HelmerOnly see if any letters have come. NoraNo, no! don't do that, Torvald! HelmerWhy not? NoraTorvald, please don't. There is nothing there. HelmerWell, 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! NoraI can't dance tomorrow if I don't practise with you. Helmer [going up to her] Are you really so afraid of it, dear? NoraYes, so dreadfully afraid of it. Let me practise at once ”