A Doll’s House

epub:type="z3998:persona">Nora With me?⁠—To the children, gently. Go in to nurse. What? No, the strange man won’t do Mother any harm. When he has gone we will have another game. She takes the children into the room on the left, and shuts the door after them. You want to speak to me? Krogstad Yes, I do. Nora Today? It is not the first of the month yet. Krogstad No, it is Christmas Eve, and it will depend on yourself what sort of a Christmas you will spend. Nora What do you mean? Today it is absolutely impossible for me⁠— Krogstad We won’t talk about that until later on. This is something different. I presume you can give me a moment? Nora Yes⁠—yes, I can⁠—although⁠— Krogstad Good. I was in Olsen’s Restaurant and saw your husband going down the street⁠— Nora Yes? Krogstad With a lady. Nora What then? Krogstad May I make so bold as to ask if it was a Mrs. Linde? Nora It was. Krogstad Just arrived in town? Nora Yes, today. Krogstad She is a great friend of yours, isn’t she? Nora She is. But I don’t see⁠— Krogstad I knew her too, once upon a time. Nora I am aware of that. Krogstad Are you? So you know all about it; I thought as much. Then I can ask you, without beating about the bush⁠—is Mrs. Linde to have an appointment in the Bank? Nora What right have you to question me, Mr. Krogstad?⁠—You, one of my husband’s subordinates! But since you ask, you shall know. Yes, Mrs. Linde is to have an appointment. And it was I who pleaded her cause, Mr. Krogstad, let me tell you that. Krogstad I was right in what I thought, then. Nora Walking up and down the stage. Sometimes one has a tiny little bit of influence, I should hope. Because one is a woman, it does not necessarily follow that⁠—. When anyone is in a subordinate position, Mr. Krogstad, they should really be careful to avoid offending anyone who⁠—who⁠— Krogstad Who has influence? Nora Exactly. Krogstad Changing his tone. Mrs. Helmer, you will be so good as to use your influence on my behalf. Nora What? What do you mean? Krogstad You will be so kind as to see that I am allowed to keep my subordinate position in the Bank. Nora What do you mean by that? Who proposes to take your post away from you? Krogstad Oh, there is no necessity to keep up the pretence of ignorance. I can quite understand that your friend is not very anxious to expose herself to the chance of rubbing shoulders with me; and I quite understand, too, whom I have to thank for being turned off. Nora But I assure you⁠— Krogstad Very likely; but, to come to the point, the time has come when I should advise you to use your influence to prevent that. Nora But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence. Krogstad Haven’t you? I thought you said yourself just now⁠— Nora Naturally I did not mean you to put that construction on it. I! What should make you think I have any influence of that kind with my husband? Krogstad Oh, I have known your husband from our student days. I don’t suppose he is any more unassailable than other husbands. Nora If you speak slightingly of my husband, I shall turn you out of the house. Krogstad You are bold, Mrs. Helmer. Nora I am not afraid of you any longer. As soon as the New Year comes, I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing. Krogstad Controlling himself. Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fighting for my life. Nora So it seems. Krogstad It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that weighs least with me in the matter. There is another reason⁠—well, I may as well tell you. My position is this. I daresay you know, like everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion. Nora I think I have heard something of the kind. Krogstad The matter never came into court; but every way seemed to be closed to me after that. So I took to the business that you know of. I had to do something; and, honestly, I don’t think I’ve been one of the worst. But now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me⁠—and now your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud. Nora But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to help you at all. Krogstad Then it is because you haven’t the will; but I have means to compel you. Nora You don’t mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you money? Krogstad Hm!⁠—suppose I were to tell him? Nora It would be perfectly infamous of you. Sobbing. To think of his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an ugly, clumsy way⁠—that he should learn it from you! And it would put me in a horribly disagreeable position⁠— Krogstad Only disagreeable? Nora Impetuously. Well, do it, then!⁠—and it will be the worse for you. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and you certainly won’t keep your post then. Krogstad I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that you were afraid of? Nora If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with you. Krogstad Coming a step nearer. Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. Either you have a very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details. Nora What do you mean? Krogstad When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow two hundred and fifty pounds. Nora I didn’t know anyone else to go to. Krogstad I