Doll's House (9781443435505) (6 page)

NORA

You 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—

HELMER

And 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—

NORA

And what if it did?

HELMER

Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager.

NORA

Whatever is that?

HELMER

His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary—

NORA

Yes, you could—couldn't you?

HELMER

And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is “I say, Helmer, old fellow!” and that sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable.

NORA

Torvald, I don't believe you mean that.

HELMER

Don't you? Why not?

NORA

Because it is such a narrow-minded way of looking at things.

HELMER

What are you saying? Narrow-minded? Do you think I am narrow-minded?

NORA

No, just the opposite, dear—and it is exactly for that reason.

HELMER

It's the same thing. You say my point of view is narrow-minded, so I must be so too. Narrow-minded! Very well—I must put an end to this. (
Goes to the hall door and calls
.) Helen!

NORA

What are you going to do?

Helmer.

(
Looking among his papers
.) Settle it. (
Enter
MAID) Look here; take this letter and go downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger and tell him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is on it, and here is the money.

MAID

Very well, sir. (
Exit with the letter
.)

HELMER

(
Putting his papers together
). Now then, little Miss Obstinate.

NORA

(
Breathlessly
). Torvald—what was that letter?

HELMER

Krogstad's dismissal.

NORA

Call her back, Torvald! There is still time. Oh Torvald, call her back! Do it for my sake—for your own sake—for the children's sake! Do you hear me, Torvald? Call her back! You don't know what that letter can bring upon us.

HELMER

It's too late.

NORA

Yes, it's too late.

HELMER

My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn't it an insult to think that I should be afraid of a starving quill-driver's vengeance? But I forgive you nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your great love for me. (
Takes her in his arms
.) And that is as it should be, my own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself.

NORA

(
In a horror-stricken voice
.) What do you mean by that?

HELMER

Everything, I say—

NORA

(
Recovering herself
). You will never have to do that.

HELMER

That's right. Well, we will share it, Nora, as man and wife should. That is how it shall be. (
Caressing her
.) Are you content now? There! There!—not these frightened dove's eyes! The whole thing is only the wildest fancy!—Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella and practise with your tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and shut the door, and I shall hear nothing; you can make as much noise as you please. (
Turns back at the door
.) And when Rank comes, tell him where he will find me. (
Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shuts the door after him
.)

NORA

(
Bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, and whispers
.) He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it in spite of everything.—No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather than that! Oh, for some help, some way out of it! (
The doorbell rings
.) Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that—anything, whatever it is! (
She puts her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it
. RANK
is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the following dialogue it begins to grow dark
.)

NORA

Good day, Doctor Rank. I knew your ring. But you mustn't go in to Torvald now; I think he is busy with something.

RANK

And you?

NORA

(
Brings him in and shuts the door after him
.) Oh, you know very well I always have time for you.

RANK

Thank you. I shall make use of as much of it as I can.

NORA

What do you mean by that? As much of it as you can?

RANK

Well, does that alarm you?

NORA

It was such a strange way of putting it. Is anything likely to happen?

RANK

Nothing but what I have long been prepared for. But I certainly didn't expect it to happen so soon.

NORA

(
Gripping him by the arm
.) What have you found out? Doctor Rank, you must tell me.

RANK

(
Sitting down by the stove
.) It is all up with me. And it can't be helped.

NORA

(
With a sigh of relief
.) Is it about yourself?

RANK

Who else? It is no use lying to one's self. I am the most wretched of all my patients, Mrs. Helmer. Lately I have been taking stock of my internal economy. Bankrupt! Probably within a month I shall lie rotting in the churchyard.

NORA

What an ugly thing to say!

RANK

The thing itself is cursedly ugly, and the worst of it is that I shall have to face so much more that is ugly before that. I shall only make one more examination of myself; when I have done that, I shall know pretty certainly when it will be that the horrors of dissolution will begin. There is something I want to tell you. Helmer's refined nature gives him an unconquerable disgust at everything that is ugly; I won't have him in my sick-room.

NORA

Oh, but, Doctor Rank—

RANK

I won't have him there. Not on any account. I bar my door to him. As soon as I am quite certain that the worst has come, I shall send you my card with a black cross on it, and then you will know that the loathsome end has begun.

NORA

You are quite absurd today. And I wanted you so much to be in a really good humour.

RANK

With death stalking beside me?—To have to pay this penalty for another man's sin? Is there any justice in that? And in every single family, in one way or another, some such inexorable retribution is being exacted—

NORA

(
Putting her hands over her ears
.) Rubbish! Do talk of something cheerful.

RANK

Oh, it's a mere laughing matter, the whole thing. My poor innocent spine has to suffer for my father's youthful amusements.

NORA

(
Sitting at the table on the left
.) I suppose you mean that he was too partial to asparagus and pâte de foie gras, don't you?

RANK

Yes, and to truffles.

NORA

Truffles, yes. And oysters too, I suppose?

RANK

Oysters, of course, that goes without saying.

NORA

And heaps of port and champagne. It is sad that all these nice things should take their revenge on our bones.

RANK

Especially that they should revenge themselves on the unlucky bones of those who have not had the satisfaction of enjoying them.

NORA

Yes, that's the saddest part of it all.

RANK

(
With a searching look at her
.) Hm!—

NORA

(
After a short pause
.) Why did you smile?

RANK

No, it was you that laughed.

NORA

No, it was you that smiled, Doctor Rank!

RANK

(
Rising.
) You are a greater rascal than I thought.

NORA

I am in a silly mood today.

RANK

So it seems.

NORA

(
Putting her hands on his shoulders.
) Dear, dear Doctor Rank, death mustn't take you away from Torvald and me.

RANK

It is a loss you would easily recover from. Those who are gone are soon forgotten.

NORA

(
Looking at him anxiously.
) Do you believe that?

RANK

People form new ties, and then—

NORA

Who will form new ties?

RANK

Both you and Helmer, when I am gone. You yourself are already on the high road to it, I think. What did that Mrs. Linde want here last night?

NORA

Oho!—you don't mean to say you are jealous of poor Christine?

RANK

Yes, I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I am done for, this woman will—

NORA

Hush! don't speak so loud. She is in that room.

RANK

Today again. There, you see.

NORA

She 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?

NORA

Just look at those!

RANK

Silk stockings.

NORA

Flesh-coloured. Aren't they lovely? It is so dark here now, but tomorrow—No, no, no! you must only look at the feet. Oh well, you may have leave to look at the legs too.

RANK

Hm!—

NORA

Why are you looking so critical? Don't you think they will fit me?

RANK

I have no means of forming an opinion about that.

NORA

(
Looks at him for a moment
.) For shame! (
Hits him lightly on the ear with the stockings
.) That's to punish you. (
Folds them up again
.)

RANK

And what other nice things am I to be allowed to see?

NORA

Not a single thing more, for being so naughty. (
She looks among the things, humming to herself
.)

RANK

(
After a short silence
.) When I am sitting here, talking to you as intimately as this, I cannot imagine for a moment what would have become of me if I had never come into this house.

NORA

(
Smiling
). I believe you do feel thoroughly at home with us.

RANK

(
In a lower voice, looking straight in front of him
.) And to be obliged to leave it all—

NORA

Nonsense, you are not going to leave it.

RANK

(
As before
.) And not be able to leave behind one the slightest token of one's gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret—nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other.

NORA

And if I asked you now for a—? No!

RANK

For what?

NORA

For a big proof of your friendship—

RANK

Yes, yes!

NORA

I mean a tremendously big favour—

RANK

Would you really make me so happy for once?

NORA

Ah, but you don't know what it is yet.

RANK

No—but tell me.

NORA

I really can't, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it means advice, and help, and a favour—

RANK

The bigger a thing it is the better. I can't conceive what it is you mean. Do tell me. Haven't I your confidence?

NORA

More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me.

RANK

(
Leaning towards her
.) Nora—do you think he is the only one—?

NORA

(
With a slight start
). The only one—?

RANK

The only one who would gladly give his life for your sake.

NORA

(
Sadly
). Is that it?

RANK

I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else.

NORA

(
Rises, deliberately and quietly
.) Let me pass.

RANK

(
Makes room for her to pass him, but sits still
.) Nora!

Nora.

(
At the hall door.
) Helen, bring in the lamp. (
Goes over to the stove
.) Dear Doctor Rank, that was really horrid of you.

RANK

To have loved you as much as anyone else does? Was that horrid?