A Doll’s House

I found a note from you at home. What does this mean? Mrs. Linde It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you. Krogstad Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here? Mrs. Linde It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs. Krogstad Coming into the room. Are the Helmers really at a dance tonight? Mrs. Linde Yes, why not? Krogstad Certainly⁠—why not? Mrs. Linde Now, Nils, let us have a talk. Krogstad Can we two have anything to talk about? Mrs. Linde We have a great deal to talk about. Krogstad I shouldn’t have thought so. Mrs. Linde No, you have never properly understood me. Krogstad Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all the world⁠—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turns up? Mrs. Linde Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart? Krogstad Didn’t you? Mrs. Linde Nils, did you really think that? Krogstad If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time? Mrs. Linde I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me. Krogstad Wringing his hands. So that was it. And all this⁠—only for the sake of money! Mrs. Linde You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then. Krogstad That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for anyone else’s sake. Mrs. Linde Indeed I don’t know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had the right to do it. Krogstad More gently. When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground went from under my feet. Look at me now⁠—I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage. Mrs. Linde But help may be near. Krogstad It was near; but then you came and stood in my way. Mrs. Linde Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learned it was your place I was going to take in the Bank. Krogstad I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are you not going to give it up to me? Mrs. Linde No, because that would not benefit you in the least. Krogstad Oh, benefit, benefit⁠—I would have done it whether or no. Mrs. Linde I have learned to act prudently. Life, and hard, bitter necessity have taught me that. Krogstad And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches. Mrs. Linde Then life has taught you something very reasonable. But deeds you must believe in? Krogstad What do you mean by that? Mrs. Linde You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some wreckage. Krogstad I had good reason to say so. Mrs. Linde Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some wreckage⁠—no one to mourn for, no one to care for. Krogstad It was your own choice. Mrs. Linde There was no other choice⁠—then. Krogstad Well, what now? Mrs. Linde Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked people could join forces? Krogstad What are you saying? Mrs. Linde Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better chance than each on their own. Krogstad Christine I⁠ ⁠… Mrs. Linde What do you suppose brought me to town? Krogstad Do you mean that you gave me a thought? Mrs. Linde I could not endure life without work. All my life, as long as I can remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure. But now I am quite alone in the world⁠—my life is so dreadfully empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working for one’s self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for. Krogstad I don’t trust that. It is nothing but a woman’s overstrained sense of generosity that prompts you to make such an offer of yourself. Mrs. Linde Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me? Krogstad Could you really do it? Tell me⁠—do you know all about my past life? Mrs. Linde Yes. Krogstad And do you know what they think of me here? Mrs. Linde You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been quite another man. Krogstad I am certain of it. Mrs. Linde Is it too late now? Krogstad Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then⁠—? Mrs. Linde I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character⁠—I can dare anything together with you. Krogstad Grasps her hands. Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot⁠— Mrs. Linde Listening. Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go! Krogstad Why? What is it? Mrs. Linde Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we may expect them back. Krogstad Yes, 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. Linde Yes, I know all about that. Krogstad And in spite of that have you the courage to⁠—? Mrs. Linde I understand very well to what lengths a man like you might be driven by despair. Krogstad If I could only undo what I have done! Mrs. Linde You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter box now. Krogstad Are you sure of that? Mrs. Linde Quite sure, but⁠— Krogstad With a searching look at her. Is that what it all means?⁠—that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it? Mrs. Linde Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake, doesn’t do it a second time. Krogstad I will ask for my letter back. Mrs. Linde No, no. Krogstad Yes, 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