Henrik Ibsen

“ It is delightful to be at home by ourselves again, to be all alone with you—you fascinating, charming little darling! NoraDon't look at me like that, Torvald. HelmerWhy shouldn't I look at my dearest treasure?—at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own? Nora [going to the other side of the table] You mustn't say things like that to me tonight. Helmer [following her] ;You: have still got the Tarantella in your blood, I see ;And: it makes you more captivating than ever Listen—the guests are beginning to go now. [In a lower voice.] Nora—soon the whole house will be quiet. ”

“ 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 around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying open.] ”

“ Nora [disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly] Now you must read your letters, Torvald. HelmerNo, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife. NoraWith the thought of your friend's death— HelmerYou are right, it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between us—the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds of that. Until then—we will each go to our own room. Nora [hanging on his neck] Goodnight, Torvald—Goodnight! Helmer [kissing her on the forehead] Goodnight, my little singing-bird. Sleep sound, Nora. ”

“ According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her husband's life. I can't believe that. HelmerYou talk like a child. You don't understand the conditions of the world in which you live. NoraNo, I don't. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world or I. HelmerYou are ill, Nora; you are delirious; I almost think you are out of your mind. NoraI have never felt my mind so clear and certain as tonight. HelmerAnd is it with a clear and certain mind that you forsake your husband and your children? ”

“ He means to shut himself up and die. HelmerMy poor old friend! Certainly I knew we should not have him very long with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away like a wounded animal. NoraIf it has to happen, it is best it should be without a word—don't you think so, Torvald? Helmer [walking up and down] ;He: had so grown into our lives ;I: can't think of him as having gone out of them He, with his sufferings and his loneliness, was like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it is best so. For him, anyway. [Standing still.] And perhaps for us too, Nora. ”

“ Mrs LindeI. have learned to act prudently Life, and hard, bitter necessity have taught me that. KrogstadAnd life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches. Mrs LindeThen. life has taught you something very reasonable But deeds you must believe in? KrogstadWhat do you mean by that? Mrs LindeYou said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some wreckage. KrogstadI had good reason to say so. Mrs LindeWell, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some wreckage—no one to mourn for, no one to care for. ”

“ Torvald—it was then it dawned upon me that for eight years I had been living here with a strange man, and had borne him three children—. Oh, I can't bear to think of it! I could tear myself into little bits! Helmer [sadly] ;I: see, I see ;An: abyss has opened between us—there is no denying it But, Nora, would it not be possible to fill it up? NoraAs I am now, I am no wife for you. HelmerI have it in me to become a different man. NoraPerhaps—if your doll is taken away from you. HelmerBut to part!—to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can't understand that idea. ”

“ Helmer [holding her back] Where are you going? Nora [trying to get free] You shan't save me, Torvald! Helmer [reeling] True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no—it is impossible that it can be true. NoraIt is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world. HelmerOh, don't let us have any silly excuses. Nora [taking a step towards him] Torvald—! HelmerMiserable creature—what have you done? NoraLet me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself. HelmerNo tragic airs, please. [Locks the hall door.] ”

“ Mrs LindeNils, a woman who has once sold herself for another's sake, doesn't do it a second time. KrogstadI will ask for my letter back. Mrs LindeNo, no. KrogstadYes, of course I will. I will wait here until 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 LindeNo, Nils, you must not recall your letter. ”

“ Nora [going out to the right] ;That: makes it all the more certain that it must be done [She comes back with her cloak and hat and a small bag which she puts on a chair by the table.] HelmerNora, Nora, not now! Wait until tomorrow. Nora [putting on her cloak] I cannot spend the night in a strange man's room. HelmerBut can't we live here like brother and sister—? Nora [putting on her hat] ;You: know very well that would not last long [Puts the shawl round her.] Goodbye, Torvald. ”

“ HelmerI would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves. NoraIt is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done. ”

“ The Tarantella! Go, go! KrogstadWhy? What is it? Mrs LindeDo you hear them up there? When that is over, we may expect them back. KrogstadYes, 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 LindeYes, I know all about that. KrogstadAnd in spite of that have you the courage to—? Mrs LindeI understand very well to what lengths a man like you might be driven by despair. KrogstadIf I could only undo what I have done! Mrs LindeYou cannot. ”

“ Helmer [in a subdued voice] He has drunk more than he ought. Nora [absently] Maybe. [Helmer takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and goes into the hall.] Torvald! what are you going to do there? HelmerEmptying the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put the newspaper in tomorrow morning. NoraAre you going to work tonight? ”

“ Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn't one enjoy everything in this world?—at any rate as much as one can, and as long as one can. The wine was capital— HelmerEspecially the champagne. RankSo you noticed that too? ”