A Doll's House and Other Plays (Penguin)

by Henrik Ibsen

  NANNY: Ah, there’ll certainly be nobody at the whole ball as lovely as Miss Nora.

  She goes into the room on the left.

  NORA [starts to unpack the box but soon throws it all aside]: Oh, if I dared to go out. If only I knew nobody would come. That nothing would happen here at home in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense; nobody’s coming. Just don’t think. Brush my muff. Lovely gloves, lovely gloves. Push it away; push it away! One, two, three, four, five, six – [Screams.] Ah, they’re coming – [Starts for the door, but stands irresolute.]

  MRS LINDE comes in from the hall, where she has left her outdoor things.

  NORA: Oh, is it you, Kristine? There’s nobody else out there, is there? – It’s so good you came.

  MRS LINDE: I hear you’ve been up asking for me.

  NORA: Yes, I was just passing. There’s something you really must help me with. Let’s sit here on the sofa. Look. There’s going to be a fancy dress ball tomorrow evening, upstairs at Consul30 Stenborg’s, and Torvald wants me to be a Neapolitan fisher-girl31 and dance the tarantella32 – I learned it on Capri.

  MRS LINDE: I say; so you’ll be giving a whole performance?

  NORA: Yes, Torvald says I should. Look, I’ve got the outfit here; Torvald had it sewn for me down there; but now the whole thing’s in such tatters, and I simply don’t know –

  MRS LINDE: Oh, we’ll soon get that put right; it’s just the trimmings that have come a bit loose here and there. Needle and thread? Right, we’ve got everything we need.

  NORA: Oh, it’s so kind of you.

  MRS LINDE [sewing]: So you’ll be in disguise tomorrow, Nora? You know what, I’ll pop by for a moment then, to see you in your finery. But, of course, I’ve clean forgotten to thank you for that nice evening yesterday.

  NORA [gets up and walks across the room]: Oh, I don’t think it was as nice here yesterday as it usually is. – You should have come to town a bit sooner, Kristine. – But yes, Torvald certainly knows how to make a home lovely and beautiful.

  MRS LINDE: And yourself no less, I’d say; you’re not your father’s daughter for nothing. But tell me, is Dr Rank always as gloomy as he was yesterday?

  NORA: No, it was particularly noticeable yesterday. But then he does suffer from a very dangerous illness. He has consumption of the spine,33 poor man. His father was a revolting man, let me tell you, who kept mistresses and that sort of thing; which is why his son was sickly from childhood, you understand.

  MRS LINDE [lowers her sewing]: But my dearest, sweetest Nora, where do you get to know about such things?

  NORA [strolling about]: Pff – when you have three children, you get an occasional visit from – from ladies who are halfway knowledgeable in medical matters, and they tell you this and that.

  MRS LINDE [sewing again; brief silence]: Does Dr Rank come to the house every day?

  NORA: Every single day. He’s been Torvald’s best friend since they were young, and he’s my good friend too. Dr Rank’s almost a part of the house.

  MRS LINDE: But tell me, Nora: is the man completely sincere? I mean, doesn’t he rather like saying things to please people?

  NORA: No, on the contrary. What makes you think that?

  MRS LINDE: When you introduced me to him yesterday, he assured me he’d often heard my name mentioned in this house; but later I noticed that your husband had no idea who I actually was. So how could Dr Rank –?

  NORA: No, but that’s quite right, Kristine. Torvald is so indescribably devoted to me; so he wants to have me all for himself, alone, as he says. In the beginning he’d almost get jealous if I so much as mentioned any of the dear people from home. So, naturally, I avoided it. But I often talk to Dr Rank about such things, because he’s so happy to hear about them, you see.

  MRS LINDE: Now listen, Nora; you are in many respects like a child still; I’m considerably older than you, of course, and have a little more experience. I want to tell you something: you must get out of this thing with Dr Rank.

  NORA: What exactly must I get out of?

  MRS LINDE: Of this, that and the other, I’d say. Yesterday you mentioned something about a rich admirer who was going to give you money –

  NORA: Yes, a man who doesn’t exist – unfortunately. But what of it?

  MRS LINDE: Is Dr Rank wealthy?

  NORA: Yes, he is.

  MRS LINDE: And has no dependants?

  NORA: No, none; but –?

  MRS LINDE: And he comes to this house every day?

  NORA: Yes, you heard what I said.

  MRS LINDE: But how could such a distinguished man be so persistent?

  NORA: I really don’t follow you.

  MRS LINDE: Don’t pretend now, Nora. Don’t you think I know who you borrowed the twelve hundred speciedaler from?

  NORA: Are you completely out of your mind? Can you imagine such a thing! A friend of ours, who comes here every single day! Just think how terribly awkward that would be!

  MRS LINDE: So it really isn’t him?

  NORA: No, I assure you. It never occurred to me for a moment –. He didn’t have any money to lend out at the time anyway; he only inherited it later.

  MRS LINDE: Well, I think that was lucky for you, my dear Nora.

  NORA: No, it could never occur to me to ask Dr Rank –. Having said that, I’m pretty certain that if I were to ask him –

  MRS LINDE: But naturally you won’t.

  NORA: No, naturally. I don’t think I can imagine it ever being necessary. But I’m pretty sure that if I were to speak to Dr Rank –

  MRS LINDE: Behind your husband’s back?

  NORA: I must get out of this other business; that’s behind his back too. I must get out of all this.

  MRS LINDE: Yes, yes, that’s exactly what I said yesterday; but –

  NORA [walks back and forth]: A man can handle this sort of thing so much better than a mere woman –

  MRS LINDE: One’s own husband, yes.

  NORA: Oh stuff and nonsense. [Stops.] When you pay everything you owe, you get your IOU back, yes?

  MRS LINDE: Yes, obviously.

  NORA: And can rip it into a hundred thousand pieces and burn it up – that filthy revolting bit of paper!

  MRS LINDE [looks stiffly at her, puts her sewing down and gets up slowly]: Nora, you’re hiding something from me.

  NORA: Does it show?

  MRS LINDE: Something’s happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, whatever is it?

  NORA [towards her]: Kristine! [Listens.] Ssh! Torvald’s just got home. Look; you go and sit with the children for now. Torvald can’t bear to see mending and darning. Let Anne-Marie help you.

  MRS LINDE [collects some of the sewing things together]: Yes, all right, but I’m not leaving until we’ve had a proper talk together.

  She goes into the room on the left, just as HELMER comes from the hall.

  NORA [goes to meet him]: Oh, how I’ve waited for you, Torvald dear.

  HELMER: Was that the seamstress?

  NORA: No, it was Kristine; she’s helping me put my costume right. I’m going to look wonderful, believe me.

  HELMER: Yes, rather an inspired idea of mine, wasn’t it?

  NORA: Marvellous! But aren’t I nice too, to give in to you?

  HELMER [takes her chin in his hand]: Nice – for giving in to your husband? Well, well, you crazy little thing, I know you didn’t mean it that way. Still, I don’t want to intrude; you’ll be trying on your costume, I expect.

  NORA: And you’ll be working?

  HELMER: Yes. [Showing her a bundle of papers] Look at this. I’ve been down at the Bank – [About to go into his room.]

  NORA: Torvald.

  HELMER [stops]: Yes.

  NORA: If your little squirrel asked you ever so prettily, for just one thing –?

  HELMER: Well?

  NORA: Would you do it?

  HELMER: I’d need to know what it is first, naturally.

  NORA: Your squirrel would run about and do tricks, if you were nice and gave in
to her.

  HELMER: Out with it then.

  NORA: Your skylark would chirrup in all the rooms, both high and low –

  HELMER: Oh, but my skylark does that anyway.

  NORA: I’d play elfin-girl34 and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald.

  HELMER: Nora – surely it’s never that thing you started on this morning?

  NORA [closer]: Yes, Torvald, I beg and beseech you!

  HELMER: And you have the courage to rake that business up again?

  NORA: Yes, yes, you have to give in to me; you have to let Krogstad keep his post at the Bank.

  HELMER: But my dear Nora, it’s his job I’ve allotted to Mrs Linde.

  NORA: Yes, that’s extremely kind of you; but surely you can just dismiss another clerk instead of Krogstad.

  HELMER: This really is the most incredible obstinacy! Just because you go making some thoughtless promise to speak on his behalf, I’m supposed to –!

  NORA: That’s not why, Torvald. It’s for your own sake. This person writes in the foulest newspapers; you’ve said so yourself. He can do you such unutterable harm. I’m so deadly afraid of him –

  HELMER: Aha, now I understand; old memories – that’s what’s putting you into this fearful flutter.

  NORA: What do you mean?

  HELMER: You’re thinking of your father, of course.

  NORA: Oh yes, that’s it, yes. Remember how those evil-minded people wrote in the newspapers about Daddy and slandered him so horribly. I think they would have got him dismissed, if the Department hadn’t sent you over to look into it, and if you hadn’t been so obliging and helpful to him.

  HELMER: My little Nora, there is a significant difference between your father and myself. Your father wasn’t an unimpeachable public servant. But I am and hope to remain so for as long as I am in my post.

  NORA: Oh, nobody knows what things evil people can think up. Things could be so nice now, so calm and happy for us here in our peaceful and carefree home – you and I and the children, Torvald! That’s why I beg you, earnestly –

  HELMER: And it’s precisely by pleading for him that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It’s already known at the Bank that I intend to dismiss Krogstad. If it were rumoured now that the new Bank director allowed his mind to be changed by his wife –

  NORA: Would that matter –?

  HELMER: No, naturally; so long as this little Miss Wilful could get her way –. I’m supposed to go in and make myself ridiculous in front of the entire staff – give people the idea I’m subject to all kinds of external influence? Well, believe me, I’d soon feel the consequences! And besides – there’s one factor that makes it absolutely impossible to have Krogstad at the Bank, as long as I am director.

  NORA: And what’s that?

  HELMER: I could, at a pinch, perhaps have overlooked his moral defects –

  NORA: Yes, isn’t that so, Torvald?

  HELMER: And I hear that he’s pretty good at his job too. But he’s an acquaintance from my youth. It was one of those rash associations that one’s so often embarrassed by later in life. Well, I may as well tell you straight: we’re on first-name terms.35 And this tactless individual does nothing to hide it in the presence of others. Quite the contrary – he thinks it entitles him to take a familiar tone with me; so he constantly gets one over me with his ‘Torvald this’ and ‘Torvald that’. I assure you, it is highly embarrassing. He’d make my position at the Bank intolerable.

  NORA: Torvald, you don’t mean anything by this.

  HELMER: Oh really? Why not?

  NORA: Because it’s such a petty concern.

  HELMER: What are you saying? Petty! You think I am petty!

  NORA: No, quite the contrary, Torvald dear; and that’s precisely why –

  HELMER: Nevertheless; you’re calling my motives petty; so I must be too. Petty! I see! – Right, this will be brought to a decisive end. [Goes to the hall door and calls] Helene!

  NORA: What are you doing?

  HELMER [searching among his papers]: Settling the matter.

  The MAID comes in.

  HELMER: Here; take this letter; go down with it immediately. Get hold of a messenger and have him deliver it. But quickly. The address is on it. Look, there’s the money.

  MAID: Very well.

  She leaves with the letter.

  HELMER [assembles his papers]: So, my little Miss Stubborn.

  NORA [with bated breath]: Torvald – what was that letter?

  HELMER: Krogstad’s notice.

  NORA: Call it back, Torvald! There’s still time. Oh, Torvald, call it back! Do it for my sake – for your own sake; for the children’s sake! Are you listening, Torvald? Do it! You don’t realize what this can bring down on us all.

  HELMER: Too late.

  NORA: Yes, too late.

  HELMER: My dear Nora, I forgive you the anxiety you’re going through here, even if it’s essentially an insult to me. Oh yes, it is! Or isn’t it perhaps an insult to believe that I would be worried about some wretched hack lawyer’s revenge? But I do nevertheless forgive you, because it’s such sweet testimony to your great love for me. [Takes her in his arms.] That’s how it should be, my own darling Nora. Let whatever comes come.36 When it really counts, you can be sure, I have both strength and courage. You’ll see, I am man enough to take everything upon myself.

  NORA [terrified]: What do you mean?

  HELMER: Everything, I say –

  NORA [firmly]: No, you shall never, never do that.

  HELMER: All right; then we’ll share it, Nora – as husband and wife. That’s how it should be. [Caresses her.] Are you satisfied now? There, there, now; not these terrified doves’ eyes! This is nothing, really, but the emptiest figment of your imagination. – You should run through the tarantella and practise with the tambourine now. I’ll sit in the inner office and close the door between, so I won’t hear a thing; you can make as much noise as you want. [Turns around in the doorway.] And when Rank arrives, tell him where he can find me.

  He nods to her, goes into his room with his papers and closes the door.

  NORA [in bewildered fear, stands as if rooted to the spot, whispers]: He was prepared to do it. He’ll do it. He’ll do it, in the face of everything. – No, never that, never! Before all else! Rescue –! A way out – [The doorbell rings in the hall.] Dr Rank –! Before all else! Before anything, whatever it takes!

  She runs her hands over her face, pulls herself together and goes over to open the door to the hall. DR RANK is standing out in the hall, hanging up his fur coat. During the following scene darkness begins to fall.

  NORA: Hello, Dr Rank. I recognized you by the way you rang. But you mustn’t go in to Torvald just now; I think he’s busy with something.

  RANK: And you?

  NORA [as he enters the living room, and she closes the door behind him]: Oh, you know very well – for you, I always have a moment to spare.

  RANK: Thank you. I shall avail myself of that for as long as I can.

  NORA: What do you mean? For as long as you can?

  RANK: Yes. Does that alarm you?

  NORA: Well, it’s such a strange turn of phrase. Is anything going to happen?

  RANK: What’s going to happen is what I’ve long been prepared for. But I really didn’t think it would come so soon.

  NORA [clutching his arm]: What have you found out? Dr Rank, you’re to tell me!

  RANK [sits next to the stove]: It’s downhill for me. There’s nothing to be done about it.

  NORA [sighs with relief]: Oh, is it you –?

  RANK: Who else? There’s no point lying to oneself. I am the most miserable of all my patients, Mrs Helmer. In the last few days I’ve carried out a complete assessment of my internal status. Bankrupt. Before the month is out I’ll be lying, perhaps, rotting up at the churchyard.

  NORA: Shame on you, what an ugly way to talk.

  RANK: Well, this thing is damned ugly. But the worst is that there’ll be so much other ugliness to come befo
rehand. There’s only one final investigation to be carried out now; when I’m finished with that, I’ll know the approximate hour that the disintegration will set in. There’s something I want to tell you. Helmer, with his fine sensibilities, has such a marked loathing for anything hideous. I don’t want him in my sickroom –

  NORA: Oh, but Dr Rank –

  RANK: I don’t want him there. Under any circumstance. I’m closing my door to him. – As soon as I’m fully informed of the worst, I shall send you my visiting-card with a black cross on it, and then you will know that the abominable process of destruction37 has begun.

  NORA: Oh, you’re being quite unreasonable today. And just when I wanted you to be in a really good mood.

  RANK: With death at hand? – And to pay like this for another man’s sin. Is there any justice in that? And every single family is in some way or other governed by this kind of inexorable retribution –

  NORA [covers her ears]: Oh, stop now! Merry; merry!

  RANK: Yes, there’s really no alternative but to laugh at the whole thing. My poor innocent spine38 has to suffer for my father’s merry days as a lieutenant.

  NORA [at the table on the left]: He had such a weakness for asparagus and pâté de foie gras. Wasn’t that it?

  RANK: Yes; and for truffles.

  NORA: Yes, truffles, yes. And then oysters, I think?

  RANK: Yes, oysters, oysters; that goes without saying.

  NORA: And then all that port and champagne. It’s sad that all these delicious things should affect the spine.

  RANK: Particularly that they should affect an unfortunate spine that hasn’t had the least pleasure from them.

  NORA: Ah me, yes, that’s what’s saddest of all.

  RANK [looks at her searchingly]: Hm –

  NORA [after a brief pause]: Why did you smile?

  RANK: No, it was you who laughed.

  NORA: No, it was you who smiled, Dr Rank!

  RANK [getting up]: You really are a bigger scamp than I thought.

  NORA: I’m so bent on mischief today.

  RANK: So it seems.

  NORA [with both hands on his shoulders]: My dear, dear Dr Rank, you’re not to go and die on Torvald and me.

  RANK: Oh, you’d soon recover from the loss. Those who depart are soon forgotten.