A Doll’s House

read it⁠— Mrs. Linde No, Nils, you must not recall your letter. Krogstad But, tell me, wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here? Mrs. Linde In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on. Krogstad Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once. Mrs. Linde Listening. You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer. Krogstad I will wait for you below. Mrs. Linde Yes, do. You must see me back to my door⁠ ⁠… Krogstad I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life! Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remains open. Mrs. Linde Tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready. What a difference! what a difference! Someone to work for and live for⁠—a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they would be quick and come⁠—Listens. Ah, there they are now. I must put on my things. Takes up her hat and cloak. Helmer’s and Nora’s voices are heard outside; a key is turned, and Helmer brings Nora almost by force into the hall. She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying open. Nora Hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him. No, no, no!⁠—don’t take me in. I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early. Helmer But, my dearest Nora⁠— Nora Please, Torvald dear⁠—please, please⁠—only an hour more. Helmer Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our agreement. Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing there. He brings her gently into the room, in spite of her resistance. Mrs. Linde Good evening. Nora Christine! Helmer You here, so late, Mrs. Linde? Mrs. Linde Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in her dress. Nora Have you been sitting here waiting for me? Mrs. Linde Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone upstairs; and I thought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you. Helmer Taking off Nora’s shawl. Yes, take a good look at her. I think she is worth looking at. Isn’t she charming, Mrs. Linde? Mrs. Linde Yes, indeed she is. Helmer Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought so at the dance. But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What are we to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost to bring her away by force. Nora Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were only for half an hour. Helmer Listen to her, Mrs. Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved⁠—although possibly the performance was a trifle too realistic⁠—a little more so, I mean, than was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mind about that! The chief thing is, she had made a success⁠—she had made a tremendous success. Do you think I was going to let her remain there after that, and spoil the effect? No, indeed! I took my charming little Capri maiden⁠—my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say⁠—on my arm; took one quick turn round the room; a curtsey on either side, and, as they say in novels, the beautiful apparition disappeared. An exit ought always to be effective, Mrs. Linde; but that is what I cannot make Nora understand. Pooh! this room is hot. Throws his domino on a chair, and opens the door of his room. Hullo! it’s all dark in here. Oh, of course⁠—excuse me⁠—. He goes in, and lights some candles. Nora In a hurried and breathless whisper. Well? Mrs. Linde In a low voice. I have had a talk with him. Nora Yes, and⁠— Mrs. Linde Nora, you must tell your husband all about it. Nora In an expressionless voice. I knew it. Mrs. Linde You have nothing to be afraid of as far as Krogstad is concerned; but you must tell him. Nora I won’t tell him. Mrs. Linde Then the letter will. Nora Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I must do. Hush⁠—! Helmer Coming in again. Well, Mrs. Linde, have you admired her? Mrs. Linde Yes, and now I will say goodnight. Helmer What, already? Is this yours, this knitting? Mrs. Linde Taking it. Yes, thank you, I had very nearly forgotten it. Helmer So you knit? Mrs. Linde Of course. Helmer Do you know, you ought to embroider. Mrs. Linde Really? Why? Helmer Yes, it’s far more becoming. Let me show you. You hold the embroidery thus in your left hand, and use the needle with the right⁠—like this⁠—with a long, easy sweep. Do you see? Mrs. Linde Yes, perhaps⁠— Helmer But in the case of knitting⁠—that can never be anything but ungraceful; look here⁠—the arms close together, the knitting needles going up and down⁠—it has a sort of Chinese effect⁠—. That was really excellent champagne they gave us. Mrs. Linde Well⁠—goodnight, Nora, and don’t be self-willed any more. Helmer That’s right, Mrs. Linde. Mrs. Linde Goodnight, Mr. Helmer. Helmer Accompanying her to the door. Goodnight, goodnight. I hope you will get home all right. I should be very happy to⁠—but you haven’t any great distance to go. Goodnight, goodnight. She goes out; he shuts the door after her, and comes in again. Ah!⁠—at last we have got rid of her. She is a frightful bore, that woman. Nora Aren’t you very tired, Torvald? Helmer No, not in the least. Nora Nor sleepy? Helmer Not a bit. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarily lively. And you?⁠—you really look both tired and sleepy. Nora Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once. Helmer There, you see it was quite