DRAMATISPERSONAE
TorvaldHelmer。
Nora，hiswife。
DoctorRank。
Mrs。Linde。
NilsKrogstad。
Helmer’sthreeyoungchildren。
Anne，theirnurse。
AHousemaid。
APorter。
（TheactiontakesplaceinHelmer’shouse。）
ADOLL’SHOUSE
ACTI
（SCENE。——Aroomfurnishedcomfortablyandtastefully，butnotextravagantly。Attheback，adoortotherightleadstotheentrance—hall，anothertotheleftleadstoHelmer’sstudy。
Betweenthedoorsstandsapiano。Inthemiddleoftheleft—handwallisadoor，andbeyonditawindow。Nearthewindowarearoundtable，arm—chairsandasmallsofa。Intheright—handwall，atthefartherend，anotherdoor；andonthesameside，nearerthefootlights，astove，twoeasychairsandarocking—chair；
betweenthestoveandthedoor，asmalltable。Engravingsonthewalls；acabinetwithchinaandothersmallobjects；asmallbook—casewithwell—boundbooks。Thefloorsarecarpeted，andafireburnsinthestove。Itiswinter。
Abellringsinthehall；shortlyafterwardsthedoorisheardtoopen。EnterNORA，hummingatuneandinhighspirits。Sheisinoutdoordressandcarriesanumberofparcels；theseshelaysonthetabletotheright。Sheleavestheouterdooropenafterher，andthroughitisseenaPORTERwhoiscarryingaChristmasTreeandabasket，whichhegivestotheMAIDwhohasopenedthedoor。）
Nora。HidetheChristmasTreecarefully，Helen。Besurethechildrendonotseeituntilthisevening，whenitisdressed。（TothePORTER，takingoutherpurse。）Howmuch？
Porter。Sixpence。
Nora。Thereisashilling。No，keepthechange。（ThePORTER
thanksher，andgoesout。NORAshutsthedoor。Sheislaughingtoherself，asshetakesoffherhatandcoat。Shetakesapacketofmacaroonsfromherpocketandeatsoneortwo；thengoescautiouslytoherhusband’sdoorandlistens。）Yes，heisin。
（Stillhumming，shegoestothetableontheright。）
Helmer（callsoutfromhisroom）。Isthatmylittlelarktwitteringoutthere？
Nora（busyopeningsomeoftheparcels）。Yes，itis!
Helmer。Isitmylittlesquirrelbustlingabout？
Nora。Yes!
Helmer。Whendidmysquirrelcomehome？
Nora。Justnow。（Putsthebagofmacaroonsintoherpocketandwipeshermouth。）Comeinhere，Torvald，andseewhatIhavebought。
Helmer。Don’tdisturbme。（Alittlelater，heopensthedoorandlooksintotheroom，peninhand。）Bought，didyousay？Allthesethings？Hasmylittlespendthriftbeenwastingmoneyagain？
Nora。Yesbut，Torvald，thisyearwereallycanletourselvesgoalittle。ThisisthefirstChristmasthatwehavenotneededtoeconomise。
Helmer。Still，youknow，wecan’tspendmoneyrecklessly。Nora。
Yes，Torvald，wemaybeaweebitmorerecklessnow，mayn’twe？
Justatinyweebit!Youaregoingtohaveabigsalaryandearnlotsandlotsofmoney。
Helmer。Yes，aftertheNewYear；butthenitwillbeawholequarterbeforethesalaryisdue。
Nora。Pooh!wecanborrowuntilthen。
Helmer。Nora!（Goesuptoherandtakesherplayfullybytheear。）Thesamelittlefeatherhead!Suppose，now，thatIborrowedfiftypoundstoday，andyouspentitallintheChristmasweek，andthenonNewYear’sEveaslatefellonmyheadandkilledme，and——Nora（puttingherhandsoverhismouth）。Oh!don’tsaysuchhorridthings。
Helmer。Still，supposethathappened，——whatthen？
Nora。Ifthatweretohappen，Idon’tsupposeIshouldcarewhetherIowedmoneyornot。
Helmer。Yes，butwhataboutthepeoplewhohadlentit？
Nora。They？Whowouldbotheraboutthem？Ishouldnotknowwhotheywere。
Helmer。Thatislikeawoman!Butseriously，Nora，youknowwhatIthinkaboutthat。Nodebt，noborrowing。Therecanbenofreedomorbeautyaboutahomelifethatdependsonborrowinganddebt。Wetwohavekeptbravelyonthestraightroadsofar，andwewillgoonthesamewayfortheshorttimelongerthatthereneedbeanystruggle。
Nora（movingtowardsthestove）。Asyouplease，Torvald。
Helmer（followingher）。Come，come，mylittleskylarkmustnotdroopherwings。Whatisthis!Ismylittlesquirreloutoftemper？（Takingouthispurse。）Nora，whatdoyouthinkIhavegothere？
Nora（turningroundquickly）。Money!
Helmer。Thereyouare。（Giveshersomemoney。）DoyouthinkI
don’tknowwhatalotiswantedforhousekeepingatChristmas—
time？
Nora（counting）。Tenshillings——apound——twopounds!Thankyou，thankyou，Torvald；thatwillkeepmegoingforalongtime。
Helmer。Indeeditmust。
Nora。Yes，yes，itwill。ButcomehereandletmeshowyouwhatI
havebought。Andallsocheap!Look，hereisanewsuitforIvar，andasword；andahorseandatrumpetforBob；andadollanddolly’sbedsteadforEmmy，——theyareveryplain，butanywayshewillsoonbreaktheminpieces。Andherearedress—lengthsandhandkerchiefsforthemaids；oldAnneoughtreallytohavesomethingbetter。
Helmer。Andwhatisinthisparcel？
Nora（cryingout）。No，no!youmustn’tseethatuntilthisevening。
Helmer。Verywell。Butnowtellme，youextravagantlittleperson，whatwouldyoulikeforyourself？
Nora。Formyself？Oh，IamsureIdon’twantanything。
Helmer。Yes，butyoumust。Tellmesomethingreasonablethatyouwouldparticularlyliketohave。
Nora。No，Ireallycan’tthinkofanything——unless，Torvald——
Helmer。Well？
Nora（playingwithhiscoatbuttons，andwithoutraisinghereyestohis）。Ifyoureallywanttogivemesomething，youmight——youmight——
Helmer。Well，outwithit!
Nora（speakingquickly）。Youmightgivememoney，Torvald。Onlyjustasmuchasyoucanafford；andthenoneofthesedaysIwillbuysomethingwithit。
Helmer。But，Nora——Nora。Oh，do!dearTorvald；please，pleasedo!
ThenIwillwrapitupinbeautifulgiltpaperandhangitontheChristmasTree。Wouldn’tthatbefun？
Helmer。Whatarelittlepeoplecalledthatarealwayswastingmoney？
Nora。Spendthrifts——Iknow。Letusdoasyousuggest，Torvald，andthenIshallhavetimetothinkwhatIammostinwantof。
Thatisaverysensibleplan，isn’tit？
Helmer（smiling）。Indeeditis——thatistosay，ifyouwerereallytosaveoutofthemoneyIgiveyou，andthenreallybuysomethingforyourself。Butifyouspenditallonthehousekeepingandanynumberofunnecessarythings，thenImerelyhavetopayupagain。
Nora。Ohbut，Torvald——
Helmer。Youcan’tdenyit，mydearlittleNora。（Putshisarmroundherwaist。）It’sasweetlittlespendthrift，butsheusesupadealofmoney。Onewouldhardlybelievehowexpensivesuchlittlepersonsare!
Nora。It’sashametosaythat。IdoreallysaveallIcan。
Helmer（laughing）。That’sverytrue，——allyoucan。Butyoucan’tsaveanything!
Nora（smilingquietlyandhappily）。Youhaven’tanyideahowmanyexpensesweskylarksandsquirrelshave，Torvald。
Helmer。Youareanoddlittlesoul。Verylikeyourfather。Youalwaysfindsomenewwayofwheedlingmoneyoutofme，and，assoonasyouhavegotit，itseemstomeltinyourhands。Youneverknowwhereithasgone。Still，onemusttakeyouasyouare。Itisintheblood；forindeeditistruethatyoucaninheritthesethings，Nora。
Nora。Ah，IwishIhadinheritedmanyofpapa’squalities。
Helmer。AndIwouldnotwishyoutobeanythingbutjustwhatyouare，mysweetlittleskylark。But，doyouknow，itstrikesmethatyouarelookingrather——whatshallIsay——ratheruneasytoday？
Nora。DoI？
Helmer。Youdo，really。Lookstraightatme。
Nora（looksathim）。Well？
Helmer（wagginghisfingerather）。Hasn’tMissSweetToothbeenbreakingrulesintowntoday？
Nora。No；whatmakesyouthinkthat？
Helmer。Hasn’tshepaidavisittotheconfectioner’s？
Nora。No，Iassureyou，Torvald——
Helmer。Notbeennibblingsweets？
Nora。No，certainlynot。
Helmer。Noteventakenabiteatamacaroonortwo？
Nora。No，Torvald，Iassureyoureally——
Helmer。There，there，ofcourseIwasonlyjoking。
Nora（goingtothetableontheright）。Ishouldnotthinkofgoingagainstyourwishes。
Helmer。No，Iamsureofthat；besides，yougavemeyourword——
（Goinguptoher。）KeepyourlittleChristmassecretstoyourself，mydarling。TheywillallberevealedtonightwhentheChristmasTreeislit，nodoubt。
Nora。DidyouremembertoinviteDoctorRank？
Helmer。No。Butthereisnoneed；asamatterofcoursehewillcometodinnerwithus。However，Iwillaskhimwhenhecomesinthismorning。Ihaveorderedsomegoodwine。Nora，youcan’tthinkhowIamlookingforwardtothisevening。
Nora。SoamI!Andhowthechildrenwillenjoythemselves，Torvald!
Helmer。Itissplendidtofeelthatonehasaperfectlysafeappointment，andabigenoughincome。It’sdelightfultothinkof，isn’tit？
Nora。It’swonderful!
Helmer。DoyourememberlastChristmas？Forafullthreeweeksbeforehandyoushutyourselfupeveryeveninguntillongaftermidnight，makingornamentsfortheChristmasTree，andalltheotherfinethingsthatweretobeasurprisetous。ItwasthedullestthreeweeksIeverspent!
Nora。Ididn’tfinditdull。
Helmer（smiling）。Buttherewaspreciouslittleresult，Nora。
Nora。Oh，youshouldn’tteasemeaboutthatagain。HowcouldI
helpthecat’sgoinginandtearingeverythingtopieces？
Helmer。Ofcourseyoucouldn’t，poorlittlegirl。Youhadthebestofintentionstopleaseusall，andthat’sthemainthing。
Butitisagoodthingthatourhardtimesareover。
Nora。Yes，itisreallywonderful。
Helmer。ThistimeIneedn’tsithereandbedullallalone，andyouneedn’truinyourdeareyesandyourprettylittlehands——
Nora（clappingherhands）。No，Torvald，Ineedn’tanylonger，needI!It’swonderfullylovelytohearyousayso!（Takinghisarm。）NowIwilltellyouhowIhavebeenthinkingweoughttoarrangethings，Torvald。AssoonasChristmasisover——（Abellringsinthehall。）There’sthebell。（Shetidiestheroomalittle。）There’ssomeoneatthedoor。Whatanuisance!
Helmer。Ifitisacaller，rememberIamnotathome。
Maid（inthedoorway）。Aladytoseeyou，ma’am，——astranger。
Nora。Askhertocomein。
Maid（toHELMER）。Thedoctorcameatthesametime，sir。
Helmer。Didhegostraightintomyroom？
Maid。Yes，sir。
（HELMERgoesintohisroom。TheMAIDushersinMrs。LINDE，whoisintravellingdress，andshutsthedoor。）Mrs。Linde（inadejectedandtimidvoice）。Howdoyoudo，Nora？
Nora（doubtfully）。Howdoyoudo——Mrs。Linde。Youdon’trecogniseme，Isuppose。
Nora。No，Idon’tknow——yes，tobesure，Iseemto——（Suddenly。）
Yes!Christine!Isitreallyyou？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，itisI。
Nora。Christine!Tothinkofmynotrecognisingyou!AndyethowcouldI——（Inagentlevoice。）Howyouhavealtered，Christine!
Mrs。Linde。Yes，Ihaveindeed。Innine，tenlongyears——
Nora。Isitsolongsincewemet？Isupposeitis。Thelasteightyearshavebeenahappytimeforme，Icantellyou。Andsonowyouhavecomeintothetown，andhavetakenthislongjourneyinwinter——thatwaspluckyofyou。
Mrs。Linde。Iarrivedbysteamerthismorning。
Nora。TohavesomefunatChristmas—time，ofcourse。Howdelightful!Wewillhavesuchfuntogether!Buttakeoffyourthings。Youarenotcold，Ihope。（Helpsher。）Nowwewillsitdownbythestove，andbecosy。No，takethisarmchair；Iwillsithereintherocking—chair。（Takesherhands。）Nowyoulooklikeyouroldselfagain；itwasonlythefirstmoment——Youarealittlepaler，Christine，andperhapsalittlethinner。
Mrs。Linde。Andmuch，mucholder，Nora。
Nora。Perhapsalittleolder；very，verylittle；certainlynotmuch。（Stopssuddenlyandspeaksseriously。）WhatathoughtlesscreatureIam，chatteringawaylikethis。Mypoor，dearChristine，doforgiveme。
Mrs。Linde。Whatdoyoumean，Nora？
Nora（gently）。PoorChristine，youareawidow。
Mrs。Linde。Yes；itisthreeyearsagonow。
Nora。Yes，Iknew；Isawitinthepapers。Iassureyou，Christine，Imeanteversooftentowritetoyouatthetime，butIalwaysputitoffandsomethingalwayspreventedme。
Mrs。Linde。Iquiteunderstand，dear。
Nora。Itwasverybadofme，Christine。Poorthing，howyoumusthavesuffered。Andheleftyounothing？
Mrs。Linde。No。
Nora。Andnochildren？
Mrs。Linde。No。
Nora。Nothingatall，then。
Mrs。Linde。Notevenanysorroworgrieftoliveupon。
Nora（lookingincredulouslyather）。But，Christine，isthatpossible？
Mrs。Linde（smilessadlyandstrokesherhair）。Itsometimeshappens，Nora。
Nora。Soyouarequitealone。Howdreadfullysadthatmustbe。I
havethreelovelychildren。Youcan’tseethemjustnow，fortheyareoutwiththeirnurse。Butnowyoumusttellmeallaboutit。
Mrs。Linde。No，no；Iwanttohearaboutyou。
Nora。No，youmustbegin。Imustn’tbeselfishtoday；todayI
mustonlythinkofyouraffairs。ButthereisonethingImusttellyou。Doyouknowwehavejusthadagreatpieceofgoodluck？
Mrs。Linde。No，whatisit？
Nora。Justfancy，myhusbandhasbeenmademanageroftheBank!
Mrs。Linde。Yourhusband？Whatgoodluck!
Nora。Yes，tremendous!Abarrister’sprofessionissuchanuncertainthing，especiallyifhewon’tundertakeunsavourycases；andnaturallyTorvaldhasneverbeenwillingtodothat，andIquiteagreewithhim。Youmayimaginehowpleasedweare!
HeistotakeuphisworkintheBankattheNewYear，andthenhewillhaveabigsalaryandlotsofcommissions。Forthefuturewecanlivequitedifferently——wecandojustaswelike。Ifeelsorelievedandsohappy，Christine!Itwillbesplendidtohaveheapsofmoneyandnotneedtohaveanyanxiety，won’tit？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，anyhowIthinkitwouldbedelightfultohavewhatoneneeds。
Nora。No，notonlywhatoneneeds，butheapsandheapsofmoney。
Mrs。Linde（smiling）。Nora，Nora，haven’tyoulearnedsenseyet？
Inourschooldaysyouwereagreatspendthrift。
Nora（laughing）。Yes，thatiswhatTorvaldsaysnow。（Wagsherlingerather。）But\"Nora，Nora\"isnotsosillyasyouthink。Wehavenotbeeninapositionformetowastemoney。Wehavebothhadtowork。
Mrs。Linde。Youtoo？
Nora。Yes；oddsandends，needlework，crotchet—work，embroidery，andthatkindofthing。（Droppinghervoice。）Andotherthingsaswell。YouknowTorvaldlefthisofficewhenweweremarried？
Therewasnoprospectofpromotionthere，andhehadtotryandearnmorethanbefore。Butduringthefirstyearheover—workedhimselfdreadfully。Yousee，hehadtomakemoneyeverywayhecould，andheworkedearlyandlate；buthecouldn’tstandit，andfelldreadfullyill，andthedoctorssaiditwasnecessaryforhimtogosouth。
Mrs。Linde。YouspentawholeyearinItaly，didn’tyou？
Nora。Yes。Itwasnoeasymattertogetaway，Icantellyou。ItwasjustafterIvarwasborn；butnaturallywehadtogo。Itwasawonderfullybeautifuljourney，anditsavedTorvald’slife。Butitcostatremendouslotofmoney，Christine。
Mrs。Linde。SoIshouldthink。
Nora。Itcostabouttwohundredandfiftypounds。That’salot，isn’tit？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，andinemergencieslikethatitisluckytohavethemoney。
Nora。Ioughttotellyouthatwehaditfrompapa。
Mrs。Linde。Oh，Isee。Itwasjustaboutthattimethathedied，wasn’tit？
Nora。Yes；and，justthinkofit，Icouldn’tgoandnursehim。I
wasexpectinglittleIvar’sbirtheverydayandIhadmypoorsickTorvaldtolookafter。Mydear，kindfather——Ineversawhimagain，Christine。ThatwasthesaddesttimeIhaveknownsinceourmarriage。
Mrs。Linde。Iknowhowfondyouwereofhim。AndthenyouwentofftoItaly？
Nora。Yes；youseewehadmoneythen，andthedoctorsinsistedonourgoing，sowestartedamonthlater。
Mrs。Linde。Andyourhusbandcamebackquitewell？
Nora。Assoundasabell!
Mrs。Linde。But——thedoctor？
Nora。Whatdoctor？
Mrs。Linde。IthoughtyourmaidsaidthegentlemanwhoarrivedherejustasIdid，wasthedoctor？
Nora。Yes，thatwasDoctorRank，buthedoesn’tcomehereprofessionally。Heisourgreatestfriend，andcomesinatleastonceeveryday。No，Torvaldhasnothadanhour’sillnesssincethen，andourchildrenarestrongandhealthyandsoamI。（Jumpsupandclapsherhands。）Christine!Christine!it’sgoodtobealiveandhappy!——Buthowhorridofme；Iamtalkingofnothingbutmyownaffairs。（Sitsonastoolnearher，andrestsherarmsonherknees。）Youmustn’tbeangrywithme。Tellme，isitreallytruethatyoudidnotloveyourhusband？Whydidyoumarryhim？
Mrs。Linde。Mymotherwasalivethen，andwasbedriddenandhelpless，andIhadtoprovideformytwoyoungerbrothers；soI
didnotthinkIwasjustifiedinrefusinghisoffer。
Nora。No，perhapsyouwerequiteright。Hewasrichatthattime，then？
Mrs。Linde。Ibelievehewasquitewelloff。Buthisbusinesswasaprecariousone；and，whenhedied，itallwenttopiecesandtherewasnothingleft。
Nora。Andthen？——
Mrs。Linde。Well，IhadtoturnmyhandtoanythingIcouldfind—
—firstasmallshop，thenasmallschool，andsoon。Thelastthreeyearshaveseemedlikeonelongworking—day，withnorest。
Nowitisatanend，Nora。Mypoormotherneedsmenomore，forsheisgone；andtheboysdonotneedmeeither；theyhavegotsituationsandcanshiftforthemselves。
Nora。Whatareliefyoumustfeelif——
Mrs。Linde。No，indeed；Ionlyfeelmylifeunspeakablyempty。Noonetoliveforanymore。（Getsuprestlessly。）ThatwaswhyI
couldnotstandthelifeinmylittlebackwateranylonger。I
hopeitmaybeeasierheretofindsomethingwhichwillbusymeandoccupymythoughts。IfonlyIcouldhavethegoodlucktogetsomeregularwork——officeworkofsomekind——
Nora。But，Christine，thatissofrightfullytiring，andyoulooktiredoutnow。Youhadfarbettergoawaytosomewatering—place。
Mrs。Linde（walkingtothewindow）。Ihavenofathertogivememoneyforajourney，Nora。
Nora（rising）。Oh，don’tbeangrywithme!
Mrs。Linde（goinguptoher）。Itisyouthatmustnotbeangrywithme，dear。Theworstofapositionlikemineisthatitmakesonesobitter。Noonetoworkfor，andyetobligedtobealwaysonthelookoutforchances。Onemustlive，andsoonebecomesselfish。Whenyoutoldmeofthehappyturnyourfortuneshavetaken——youwillhardlybelieveit——Iwasdelightednotsomuchonyouraccountasonmyown。
Nora。Howdoyoumean？——Oh，Iunderstand。YoumeanthatperhapsTorvaldcouldgetyousomethingtodo。
Mrs。Linde。Yes，thatwaswhatIwasthinkingof。
Nora。Hemust，Christine。Justleaveittome；Iwillbroachthesubjectverycleverly——Iwillthinkofsomethingthatwillpleasehimverymuch。Itwillmakemesohappytobeofsomeusetoyou。
Mrs。Linde。Howkindyouare，Nora，tobesoanxioustohelpme!
Itisdoublykindinyou，foryouknowsolittleoftheburdensandtroublesoflife。
Nora。I——？Iknowsolittleofthem？
Mrs。Linde（smiling）。Mydear!Smallhouseholdcaresandthatsortofthing!——Youareachild，Nora。
Nora（tossesherheadandcrossesthestage）。Yououghtnottobesosuperior。
Mrs。Linde。No？
Nora。Youarejustliketheothers。TheyallthinkthatIamincapableofanythingreallyserious——
Mrs。Linde。Come，come——
Nora。——thatIhavegonethroughnothinginthisworldofcares。
Mrs。Linde。But，mydearNora，youhavejusttoldmeallyourtroubles。
Nora。Pooh!——thoseweretrifles。（Loweringhervoice。）Ihavenottoldyoutheimportantthing。
Mrs。Linde。Theimportantthing？Whatdoyoumean？
Nora。Youlookdownuponmealtogether，Christine——butyououghtnotto。Youareproud，aren’tyou，ofhavingworkedsohardandsolongforyourmother？
Mrs。Linde。Indeed，Idon’tlookdownonanyone。ButitistruethatIambothproudandgladtothinkthatIwasprivilegedtomaketheendofmymother’slifealmostfreefromcare。
Nora。Andyouareproudtothinkofwhatyouhavedoneforyourbrothers？
Mrs。Linde。IthinkIhavetherighttobe。
Nora。Ithinkso，too。Butnow，listentothis；Itoohavesomethingtobeproudandgladof。
Mrs。Linde。Ihavenodoubtyouhave。Butwhatdoyoureferto？
Nora。Speaklow。SupposeTorvaldweretohear!Hemustn’tonanyaccount——nooneintheworldmustknow，Christine，exceptyou。
Mrs。Linde。Butwhatisit？
Nora。Comehere。（Pullsherdownonthesofabesideher。）NowI
willshowyouthatItoohavesomethingtobeproudandgladof。
ItwasIwhosavedTorvald’slife。
Mrs。Linde。\"Saved\"？How？
Nora。ItoldyouaboutourtriptoItaly。Torvaldwouldneverhaverecoveredifhehadnotgonethere——
Mrs。Linde。Yes，butyourfathergaveyouthenecessaryfunds。
Nora（smiling）。Yes，thatiswhatTorvaldandalltheothersthink，but——
Mrs。Linde。But——
Nora。Papadidn’tgiveusashilling。ItwasIwhoprocuredthemoney。
Mrs。Linde。You？Allthatlargesum？
Nora。Twohundredandfiftypounds。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？
Mrs。Linde。But，Nora，howcouldyoupossiblydoit？DidyouwinaprizeintheLottery？
Nora（contemptuously）。IntheLottery？Therewouldhavebeennocreditinthat。
Mrs。Linde。Butwheredidyougetitfrom，then？Nora（hummingandsmilingwithanairofmystery）。Hm，hm!Aha!
Mrs。Linde。Becauseyoucouldn’thaveborrowedit。
Nora。Couldn’tI？Whynot？
Mrs。Linde。No，awifecannotborrowwithoutherhusband’sconsent。
Nora（tossingherhead）。Oh，ifitisawifewhohasanyheadforbusiness——awifewhohasthewittobealittlebitclever——
Mrs。Linde。Idon’tunderstanditatall，Nora。
Nora。Thereisnoneedyoushould。IneversaidIhadborrowedthemoney。Imayhavegotitsomeotherway。（Liesbackonthesofa。）PerhapsIgotitfromsomeotheradmirer。WhenanyoneisasattractiveasIam——
Mrs。Linde。Youareamadcreature。
Nora。Now，youknowyou’refullofcuriosity，Christine。
Mrs。Linde。Listentome，Noradear。Haven’tyoubeenalittlebitimprudent？
Nora（sitsupstraight）。Isitimprudenttosaveyourhusband’slife？
Mrs。Linde。Itseemstomeimprudent，withouthisknowledge，to——
Nora。Butitwasabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldnotknow!Mygoodness，can’tyouunderstandthat？Itwasnecessaryheshouldhavenoideawhatadangerousconditionhewasin。Itwastomethatthedoctorscameandsaidthathislifewasindanger，andthattheonlythingtosavehimwastoliveinthesouth。DoyousupposeIdidn’ttry，firstofall，togetwhatIwantedasifitwereformyself？ItoldhimhowmuchIshouldlovetotravelabroadlikeotheryoungwives；Itriedtearsandentreatieswithhim；ItoldhimthatheoughttoremembertheconditionIwasin，andthatheoughttobekindandindulgenttome；Ievenhintedthathemightraisealoan。Thatnearlymadehimangry，Christine。
HesaidIwasthoughtless，andthatitwashisdutyasmyhusbandnottoindulgemeinmywhimsandcaprices——asIbelievehecalledthem。Verywell，Ithought，youmustbesaved——andthatwashowIcametodeviseawayoutofthedifficulty——
Mrs。Linde。Anddidyourhusbandnevergettoknowfromyourfatherthatthemoneyhadnotcomefromhim？
Nora。No，never。Papadiedjustatthattime。Ihadmeanttolethimintothesecretandbeghimnevertorevealit。Buthewassoillthen——alas，thereneverwasanyneedtotellhim。
Mrs。Linde。Andsincethenhaveyounevertoldyoursecrettoyourhusband？
Nora。GoodHeavens，no!Howcouldyouthinkso？Amanwhohassuchstrongopinionsaboutthesethings!Andbesides，howpainfulandhumiliatingitwouldbeforTorvald，withhismanlyindependence，toknowthatheowedmeanything!Itwouldupsetourmutualrelationsaltogether；ourbeautifulhappyhomewouldnolongerbewhatitisnow。
Mrs。Linde。Doyoumeannevertotellhimaboutit？
Nora（meditatively，andwithahalfsmile）。Yes——someday，perhaps，aftermanyyears，whenIamnolongerasnice—lookingasIamnow。Don’tlaughatme!Imean，ofcourse，whenTorvaldisnolongerasdevotedtomeasheisnow；whenmydancinganddressing—upandrecitinghavepalledonhim；thenitmaybeagoodthingtohavesomethinginreserve——（Breakingoff。）Whatnonsense!Thattimewillnevercome。Now，whatdoyouthinkofmygreatsecret，Christine？DoyoustillthinkIamofnouse？Icantellyou，too，thatthisaffairhascausedmealotofworry。Ithasbeenbynomeanseasyformetomeetmyengagementspunctually。Imaytellyouthatthereissomethingthatiscalled，inbusiness，quarterlyinterest，andanotherthingcalledpaymentininstallments，anditisalwayssodreadfullydifficulttomanagethem。Ihavehadtosavealittlehereandthere，whereIcould，youunderstand。Ihavenotbeenabletoputasidemuchfrommyhousekeepingmoney，forTorvaldmusthaveagoodtable。I
couldn’tletmychildrenbeshabbilydressed；Ihavefeltobligedtouseupallhegavemeforthem，thesweetlittledarlings!
Mrs。Linde。Soithasallhadtocomeoutofyourownnecessariesoflife，poorNora？
Nora。Ofcourse。Besides，Iwastheoneresponsibleforit。WheneverTorvaldhasgivenmemoneyfornewdressesandsuchthings，Ihaveneverspentmorethanhalfofit；Ihavealwaysboughtthesimplestandcheapestthings。ThankHeaven，anyclotheslookwellonme，andsoTorvaldhasnevernoticedit。Butitwasoftenveryhardonme，Christine——becauseitisdelightfultobereallywelldressed，isn’tit？
Mrs。Linde。Quiteso。
Nora。Well，thenIhavefoundotherwaysofearningmoney。LastwinterIwasluckyenoughtogetalotofcopyingtodo；soI
lockedmyselfupandsatwritingeveryeveninguntilquitelateatnight。ManyatimeIwasdesperatelytired；butallthesameitwasatremendouspleasuretositthereworkingandearningmoney。Itwaslikebeingaman。
Mrs。Linde。Howmuchhaveyoubeenabletopayoffinthatway？
Nora。Ican’ttellyouexactly。Yousee，itisverydifficulttokeepanaccountofabusinessmatterofthatkind。IonlyknowthatIhavepaideverypennythatIcouldscrapetogether。ManyatimeIwasatmywits’end。（Smiles。）ThenIusedtosithereandimaginethataricholdgentlemanhadfalleninlovewithme——
Mrs。Linde。What!Whowasit？
Nora。Bequiet!——thathehaddied；andthatwhenhiswillwasopeneditcontained，writteninbigletters，theinstruction：
\"ThelovelyMrs。NoraHelmeristohaveallIpossesspaidovertoheratonceincash。\"
Mrs。Linde。But，mydearNora——whocouldthemanbe？
Nora。Goodgracious，can’tyouunderstand？Therewasnooldgentlemanatall；itwasonlysomethingthatIusedtosithereandimagine，whenIcouldn’tthinkofanywayofprocuringmoney。
Butit’sallthesamenow；thetiresomeoldpersoncanstaywhereheis，asfarasIamconcerned；Idon’tcareabouthimorhiswilleither，forIamfreefromcarenow。（Jumpsup。）Mygoodness，it’sdelightfultothinkof，Christine!Freefromcare!
Tobeabletobefreefromcare，quitefreefromcare；tobeabletoplayandrompwiththechildren；tobeabletokeepthehousebeautifullyandhaveeverythingjustasTorvaldlikesit!And，thinkofit，soonthespringwillcomeandthebigbluesky!
Perhapsweshallbeabletotakealittletrip——perhapsIshallseetheseaagain!Oh，it’sawonderfulthingtobealiveandbehappy。（Abellisheardinthehall。）
Mrs。Linde（rising）。Thereisthebell；perhapsIhadbettergo。
Nora。No，don’tgo；noonewillcomeinhere；itissuretobeforTorvald。
Servant（atthehalldoor）。Excuseme，ma’am——thereisagentlemantoseethemaster，andasthedoctoriswithhim——Nora。
Whoisit？
Krogstad（atthedoor）。ItisI，Mrs。Helmer。（Mrs。LINDEstarts，trembles，andturnstothewindow。）
Nora（takesasteptowardshim，andspeaksinastrained，lowvoice）。You？Whatisit？Whatdoyouwanttoseemyhusbandabout？
Krogstad。Bankbusiness——inaway。IhaveasmallpostintheBank，andIhearyourhusbandistobeourchiefnow——
Nora。Thenitis——
Krogstad。Nothingbutdrybusinessmatters，Mrs。Helmer；
absolutelynothingelse。
Nora。Besogoodastogointothestudy，then。（Shebowsindifferentlytohimandshutsthedoorintothehall；thencomesbackandmakesupthefireinthestove。）
Mrs。Linde。Nora——whowasthatman？
Nora。Alawyer，ofthenameofKrogstad。
Mrs。Linde。Thenitreallywashe。
Nora。Doyouknowtheman？
Mrs。Linde。Iusedto——manyyearsago。Atonetimehewasasolicitor’sclerkinourtown。
Nora。Yes，hewas。
Mrs。Linde。Heisgreatlyaltered。
Nora。Hemadeaveryunhappymarriage。
Mrs。Linde。Heisawidowernow，isn’the？
Nora。Withseveralchildren。Therenow，itisburningup。Shutsthedoorofthestoveandmovestherocking—chairaside。）
Mrs。Linde。Theysayhecarriesonvariouskindsofbusiness。
Nora。Really!Perhapshedoes；Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。
Butdon’tletusthinkofbusiness；itissotiresome。
DoctorRank（comesoutofHELMER’Sstudy。Beforeheshutsthedoorhecallstohim）。No，mydearfellow，Iwon’tdisturbyou；I
wouldrathergointoyourwifeforalittlewhile。（ShutsthedoorandseesMrs。LINDE。）Ibegyourpardon；IamafraidIamdisturbingyoutoo。
Nora。No，notatall。（Introducinghim）。DoctorRank，Mrs。Linde。
Rank。IhaveoftenheardMrs。Linde’snamementionedhere。I
thinkIpassedyouonthestairswhenIarrived，Mrs。Linde？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，Igoupveryslowly；Ican’tmanagestairswell。
Rank。Ah!someslightinternalweakness？
Mrs。Linde。No，thefactisIhavebeenoverworkingmyself。
Rank。Nothingmorethanthat？ThenIsupposeyouhavecometotowntoamuseyourselfwithourentertainments？
Mrs。Linde。Ihavecometolookforwork。
Rank。Isthatagoodcureforoverwork？
Mrs。Linde。Onemustlive，DoctorRank。
Rank。Yes，thegeneralopinionseemstobethatitisnecessary。
Nora。Lookhere，DoctorRank——youknowyouwanttolive。
Rank。Certainly。HoweverwretchedImayfeel，Iwanttoprolongtheagonyaslongaspossible。Allmypatientsarelikethat。Andsoarethosewhoaremorallydiseased；oneofthem，andabadcasetoo，isatthisverymomentwithHelmer——
Mrs。Linde（sadly）。Ah!
Nora。Whomdoyoumean？
Rank。AlawyerofthenameofKrogstad，afellowyoudon’tknowatall。Hesuffersfromadiseasedmoralcharacter，Mrs。Helmer；
butevenhebegantalkingofitsbeinghighlyimportantthatheshouldlive。
Nora。Didhe？WhatdidhewanttospeaktoTorvaldabout？
Rank。Ihavenoidea；IonlyheardthatitwassomethingabouttheBank。
Nora。Ididn’tknowthis——what’shisname——KrogstadhadanythingtodowiththeBank。
Rank。Yes，hehassomesortofappointmentthere。（ToMrs。
LINDE。）Idon’tknowwhetheryoufindalsoinyourpartoftheworldthattherearecertainpeoplewhogozealouslysnuffingabouttosmelloutmoralcorruption，and，assoonastheyhavefoundsome，putthepersonconcernedintosomelucrativepositionwheretheycankeeptheireyeonhim。Healthynaturesareleftoutinthecold。
Mrs。Linde。StillIthinkthesickarethosewhomostneedtakingcareof。
Rank（shrugginghisshoulders）。Yes，thereyouare。ThatisthesentimentthatisturningSocietyintoasick—house。
（NORA，whohasbeenabsorbedinherthoughts，breaksoutintosmotheredlaughterandclapsherhands。）
Rank。Whydoyoulaughatthat？HaveyouanynotionwhatSocietyreallyis？
Nora。WhatdoIcareabouttiresomeSociety？Iamlaughingatsomethingquitedifferent，somethingextremelyamusing。Tellme，DoctorRank，areallthepeoplewhoareemployedintheBankdependentonTorvaldnow？
Rank。Isthatwhatyoufindsoextremelyamusing？
Nora（smilingandhumming）。That’smyaffair!（Walkingabouttheroom。）It’sperfectlyglorioustothinkthatwehave——thatTorvaldhassomuchpoweroversomanypeople。（Takesthepacketfromherpocket。）DoctorRank，whatdoyousaytoamacaroon？
Rank。What，macaroons？Ithoughttheywereforbiddenhere。
Nora。Yes，butthesearesomeChristinegaveme。
Mrs。Linde。What!I？——
Nora。Oh，well，don’tbealarmed!Youcouldn’tknowthatTorvaldhadforbiddenthem。Imusttellyouthatheisafraidtheywillspoilmyteeth。But，bah!——onceinaway——That’sso，isn’tit，DoctorRank？Byyourleave!（Putsamacaroonintohismouth。）Youmusthaveonetoo，Christine。AndIshallhaveone，justalittleone—oratmosttwo。（Walkingabout。）Iamtremendouslyhappy。
ThereisjustonethingintheworldnowthatIshoulddearlylovetodo。
Rank。Well，whatisthat？
Nora。It’ssomethingIshoulddearlylovetosay，ifTorvaldcouldhearme。
Rank。Well，whycan’tyousayit？
Nora。No，Idaren’t；it’ssoshocking。
Mrs。Linde。Shocking？
Rank。Well，Ishouldnotadviseyoutosayit。Still，withusyoumight。WhatisityouwouldsomuchliketosayifTorvaldcouldhearyou？
Nora。Ishouldjustlovetosay——Well，I’mdamned!
Rank。Areyoumad？
Mrs。Linde。Nora，dear——!
Rank。Sayit，hereheis!
Nora（hidingthepacket）。Hush!Hush!Hush!（HELMERcomesoutofhisroom，withhiscoatoverhisarmandhishatinhishand。）
Nora。Well，Torvalddear，haveyougotridofhim？
Helmer。Yes，hehasjustgone。
Nora。Letmeintroduceyou——thisisChristine，whohascometotown。
Helmer。Christine——？Excuseme，butIdon’tknow——
Nora。Mrs。Linde，dear；ChristineLinde。
Helmer。Ofcourse。Aschoolfriendofmywife’s，Ipresume？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，wehaveknowneachothersincethen。
Nora。Andjustthink，shehastakenalongjourneyinordertoseeyou。
Helmer。Whatdoyoumean？Mrs。Linde。No，really，I——
Nora。Christineistremendouslycleveratbook—keeping，andsheisfrightfullyanxioustoworkundersomecleverman，soastoperfectherself——
Helmer。Verysensible，Mrs。Linde。
Nora。AndwhensheheardyouhadbeenappointedmanageroftheBank——thenewswastelegraphed，youknow——shetravelledhereasquickasshecould。Torvald，IamsureyouwillbeabletodosomethingforChristine，formysake，won’tyou？
Helmer。Well，itisnotaltogetherimpossible。Ipresumeyouareawidow，Mrs。Linde？
Mrs。Linde。Yes。
Helmer。Andhavehadsomeexperienceofbook—keeping？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，afairamount。
Helmer。Ah!well，it’sverylikelyImaybeabletofindsomethingforyou——
Nora（clappingherhands）。WhatdidItellyou？WhatdidItellyou？
Helmer。Youhavejustcomeatafortunatemoment，Mrs。Linde。
Mrs。Linde。HowamItothankyou？
Helmer。Thereisnoneed。（Putsonhiscoat。）Buttodayyoumustexcuseme——
Rank。Waitaminute；Iwillcomewithyou。（Bringshisfurcoatfromthehallandwarmsitatthefire。）
Nora。Don’tbelongaway，Torvalddear。
Helmer。Aboutanhour，notmore。
Nora。Areyougoingtoo，Christine？
Mrs。Linde（puttingonhercloak）。Yes，Imustgoandlookforaroom。
Helmer。Oh，wellthen，wecanwalkdownthestreettogether。
Nora（helpingher）。Whatapityitiswearesoshortofspacehere；Iamafraiditisimpossibleforus——
Mrs。Linde。Pleasedon’tthinkofit!Goodbye，Noradear，andmanythanks。
Nora。Goodbyeforthepresent。Ofcourseyouwillcomebackthisevening。Andyoutoo，Dr。Rank。Whatdoyousay？Ifyouarewellenough？Oh，youmustbe!Wrapyourselfupwell。（Theygotothedooralltalkingtogether。Children’svoicesareheardonthestaircase。）
Nora。Theretheyare!Theretheyare!（Sherunstoopenthedoor。
TheNURSEcomesinwiththechildren。）Comein!Comein!（Stoopsandkissesthem。）Oh，yousweetblessings!Lookatthem，Christine!Aren’ttheydarlings？
Rank。Don’tletusstandhereinthedraught。
Helmer。Comealong，Mrs。Linde；theplacewillonlybebearableforamothernow!
（RANK，HELMER，andMrs。LINDEgodownstairs。TheNURSEcomesforwardwiththechildren；NORAshutsthehalldoor。）
Nora。Howfreshandwellyoulook!Suchredcheekslikeapplesandroses。（Thechildrenalltalkatoncewhileshespeakstothem。）Haveyouhadgreatfun？That’ssplendid!What，youpulledbothEmmyandBobalongonthesledge？——bothatonce？——thatwasgood。Youareacleverboy，Ivar。Letmetakeherforalittle，Anne。Mysweetlittlebabydoll!（TakesthebabyfromtheMAID
anddancesitupanddown。）Yes，yes，motherwilldancewithBobtoo。What!Haveyoubeensnowballing？IwishIhadbeentheretoo!No，no，Iwilltaketheirthingsoff，Anne；pleaseletmedoit，itissuchfun。Goinnow，youlookhalffrozen。Thereissomehotcoffeeforyouonthestove。
（TheNURSEgoesintotheroomontheleft。NORAtakesoffthechildren’sthingsandthrowsthemabout，whiletheyalltalktoheratonce。）
Nora。Really!Didabigdogrunafteryou？Butitdidn’tbiteyou？No，dogsdon’tbitenicelittledollychildren。Youmustn’tlookattheparcels，Ivar。Whatarethey？Ah，Idaresayyouwouldliketoknow。No，no——it’ssomethingnasty!Come，letushaveagame!Whatshallweplayat？HideandSeek？Yes，we’llplayHideandSeek。Bobshallhidefirst。MustIhide？Verywell，I’llhidefirst。（Sheandthechildrenlaughandshout，andrompinandoutoftheroom；atlastNORAhidesunderthetable，thechildrenrushinandoutforher，butdonotseeher；theyhearhersmotheredlaughter，runtothetable，liftuptheclothandfindher。Shoutsoflaughter。Shecrawlsforwardandpretendstofrightenthem。Freshlaughter。Meanwhiletherehasbeenaknockatthehalldoor，butnoneofthemhasnoticedit。Thedoorishalfopened，andKROGSTADappears，liewaitsalittle；thegamegoeson。）
Krogstad。Excuseme，Mrs。Helmer。
Nora（withastifledcry，turnsroundandgetsupontoherknees）。Ah!whatdoyouwant？
Krogstad。Excuseme，theouterdoorwasajar；Isupposesomeoneforgottoshutit。
Nora（rising）。Myhusbandisout，Mr。Krogstad。
Krogstad。Iknowthat。
Nora。Whatdoyouwanthere，then？
Krogstad。Awordwithyou。
Nora。Withme？——（Tothechildren，gently。）Gointonurse。What？
No，thestrangemanwon’tdomotheranyharm。Whenhehasgonewewillhaveanothergame。（Shetakesthechildrenintotheroomontheleft，andshutsthedoorafterthem。）Youwanttospeaktome？
Krogstad。Yes，Ido。
Nora。Today？Itisnotthefirstofthemonthyet。
Krogstad。No，itisChristmasEve，anditwilldependonyourselfwhatsortofaChristmasyouwillspend。
Nora。Whatdoyoumean？Todayitisabsolutelyimpossibleforme——
Krogstad。Wewon’ttalkaboutthatuntillateron。Thisissomethingdifferent。Ipresumeyoucangivemeamoment？
Nora。Yes——yes，Ican——although——
Krogstad。Good。IwasinOlsen’sRestaurantandsawyourhusbandgoingdownthestreet——
Nora。Yes？
Krogstad。Withalady。
Nora。Whatthen？
Krogstad。MayImakesoboldastoaskifitwasaMrs。Linde？
Nora。Itwas。
Krogstad。Justarrivedintown？
Nora。Yes，today。
Krogstad。Sheisagreatfriendofyours，isn’tshe？
Nora。Sheis。ButIdon’tsee——
Krogstad。Iknewhertoo，onceuponatime。
Nora。Iamawareofthat。
Krogstad。Areyou？Soyouknowallaboutit；Ithoughtasmuch。
ThenIcanaskyou，withoutbeatingaboutthebush——isMrs。LindetohaveanappointmentintheBank？
Nora。Whatrighthaveyoutoquestionme，Mr。Krogstad？——You，oneofmyhusband’ssubordinates!Butsinceyouask，youshallknow。
Yes，Mrs。Lindeistohaveanappointment。AnditwasIwhopleadedhercause，Mr。Krogstad，letmetellyouthat。
Krogstad。IwasrightinwhatIthought，then。
Nora（walkingupanddownthestage）。Sometimesonehasatinylittlebitofinfluence，Ishouldhope。Becauseoneisawoman，itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthat——。Whenanyoneisinasubordinateposition，Mr。Krogstad，theyshouldreallybecarefultoavoidoffendinganyonewho——who——
Krogstad。Whohasinfluence？
Nora。Exactly。
Krogstad（changinghistone）。Mrs。Helmer，youwillbesogoodastouseyourinfluenceonmybehalf。
Nora。What？Whatdoyoumean？
Krogstad。YouwillbesokindastoseethatIamallowedtokeepmysubordinatepositionintheBank。
Nora。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Whoproposestotakeyourpostawayfromyou？
Krogstad。Oh，thereisnonecessitytokeepupthepretenceofignorance。Icanquiteunderstandthatyourfriendisnotveryanxioustoexposeherselftothechanceofrubbingshoulderswithme；andIquiteunderstand，too，whomIhavetothankforbeingturnedoff。
Nora。ButIassureyou——
Krogstad。Verylikely；but，tocometothepoint，thetimehascomewhenIshouldadviseyoutouseyourinfluencetopreventthat。
Nora。But，Mr。Krogstad，Ihavenoinfluence。
Krogstad。Haven’tyou？Ithoughtyousaidyourselfjustnow——
Nora。NaturallyIdidnotmeanyoutoputthatconstructiononit。I!WhatshouldmakeyouthinkIhaveanyinfluenceofthatkindwithmyhusband？
Krogstad。Oh，Ihaveknownyourhusbandfromourstudentdays。I
don’tsupposeheisanymoreunassailablethanotherhusbands。
Nora。Ifyouspeakslightinglyofmyhusband，Ishallturnyououtofthehouse。
Krogstad。Youarebold，Mrs。Helmer。
Nora。Iamnotafraidofyouanylonger。AssoonastheNewYearcomes，Ishallinaveryshorttimebefreeofthewholething。
Krogstad（controllinghimself）。Listentome，Mrs。Helmer。Ifnecessary）IampreparedtofightformysmallpostintheBankasifIwerefightingformylife。
Nora。Soitseems。
Krogstad。Itisnotonlyforthesakeofthemoney；indeed，thatweighsleastwithmeinthematter。Thereisanotherreason——
well，Imayaswelltellyou。Mypositionisthis。Idaresayyouknow，likeeverybodyelse，thatonce，manyyearsago，Iwasguiltyofanindiscretion。
Nora。IthinkIhaveheardsomethingofthekind。
Krogstad。Thematternevercameintocourt；buteverywayseemedtobeclosedtomeafterthat。SoItooktothebusinessthatyouknowof。Ihadtodosomething；and，honestly，Idon’tthinkI’vebeenoneoftheworst。ButnowImustcutmyselffreefromallthat。Mysonsaregrowingup；fortheirsakeImusttryandwinbackasmuchrespectasIcaninthetown。ThispostintheBankwaslikethefirststepupforme——andnowyourhusbandisgoingtokickmedownstairsagainintothemud。
Nora。Butyoumustbelieveme，Mr。Krogstad；itisnotinmypowertohelpyouatall。
Krogstad。Thenitisbecauseyouhaven’tthewill；butIhavemeanstocompelyou。