A Doll’s House

that will keep me going for a long time. Helmer Indeed it must. Nora Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy⁠—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better. Helmer And what is in this parcel? Nora Crying out. No, no! you mustn’t see that until this evening. Helmer Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant little person, what would you like for yourself? Nora For myself? Oh, I am sure I don’t want anything. Helmer Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that you would particularly like to have. Nora No, I really can’t think of anything⁠—unless, Torvald⁠— Helmer Well? Nora Playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyes to his. If you really want to give me something, you might⁠—you might⁠— Helmer Well, out with it! Nora Speaking quickly. You might give me money, Torvald. Only just as much as you can afford; and then one of these days I will buy something with it. Helmer But, Nora⁠— Nora Oh, do! dear Torvald; please, please do! Then I will wrap it up in beautiful gilt paper and hang it on the Christmas tree. Wouldn’t that be fun? Helmer What are little people called that are always wasting money? Nora Spendthrifts⁠—I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torvald, and then I shall have time to think what I am most in want of. That is a very sensible plan, isn’t it? Helmer Smiling. Indeed it is⁠—that is to say, if you were really to save out of the money I give you, and then really buy something for yourself. But if you spend it all on the housekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, then I merely have to pay up again. Nora Oh but, Torvald⁠— Helmer You can’t deny it, my dear little Nora. Puts his arm round her waist. It’s a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money. One would hardly believe how expensive such little persons are! Nora It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can. Helmer Laughing. That’s very true⁠—all you can. But you can’t save anything! Nora Smiling quietly and happily. You haven’t any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald. Helmer You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit these things, Nora. Nora Ah, I wish I had inherited many of Papa’s qualities. Helmer And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking rather⁠—what shall I say⁠—rather uneasy today? Nora Do I? Helmer You do, really. Look straight at me. Nora Looks at him. Well? Helmer Wagging his finger at her. Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today? Nora No; what makes you think that? Helmer Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s? Nora No, I assure you, Torvald⁠— Helmer Not been nibbling sweets? Nora No, certainly not. Helmer Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two? Nora No, Torvald, I assure you really⁠— Helmer There, there, of course I was only joking. Nora Going to the table on the right. I should not think of going against your wishes. Helmer No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word⁠—Going up to her. Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas tree is lit, no doubt. Nora Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank? Helmer No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward to this evening. Nora So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald! Helmer It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It’s delightful to think of, isn’t it? Nora It’s wonderful! Helmer Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening until long after midnight, making ornaments for the Christmas tree, and all the other fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever spent! Nora I didn’t find it dull. Helmer Smiling. But there was precious little result, Nora. Nora Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces? Helmer Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over. Nora Yes, it is really wonderful. Helmer This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands⁠— Nora Clapping her hands. No, Torvald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! Taking his arm. Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over⁠—A bell rings in the hall. There’s the bell. She tidies the room a little. There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance! Helmer If it is a caller, remember I am not at home. Maid In the doorway. A lady to see you, ma’am⁠—a stranger.