A Doll’s House

epub:type="z3998:persona">Helmer Nice?⁠—because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. But I am not going to disturb you; you will want to be trying on your dress, I expect. Nora I suppose you are going to work. Helmer Yes. Shows her a bundle of papers. Look at that. I have just been into the bank. Turns to go into his room. Nora Torvald. Helmer Yes. Nora If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very prettily⁠—? Helmer What then? Nora Would you do it? Helmer I should like to hear what it is, first. Nora Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants. Helmer Speak plainly. Nora Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and falling⁠— Helmer Well, my skylark does that anyhow. Nora I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald. Helmer Nora⁠—you surely don’t mean that request you made to me this morning? Nora Going near him. Yes, Torvald, I beg you so earnestly⁠— Helmer Have you really the courage to open up that question again? Nora Yes, dear, you must do as I ask; you must let Krogstad keep his post in the bank. Helmer My dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs. Linde shall have. Nora Yes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you could just as well dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad. Helmer This is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose to give him a thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I am expected to⁠— Nora That 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. I am frightened to death of him⁠— Helmer Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past that scare you. Nora What do you mean? Helmer Naturally you are thinking of your father. Nora Yes⁠—yes, of course. Just recall to your mind what these malicious creatures wrote in the papers about Papa, and how horribly they slandered him. I believe they would have procured his dismissal if the Department had not sent you over to inquire into it, and if you had not been so kindly disposed and helpful to him. Helmer My little Nora, there is an important difference between your father and me. Your father’s reputation as a public official was not above suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it will continue to be so, as long as I hold my office. 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