Nora。Youdon’tmeanthatyouwilltellmyhusbandthatIoweyoumoney？
Krogstad。Hm!——supposeIweretotellhim？
Nora。Itwouldbeperfectlyinfamousofyou。（Sobbing。）Tothinkofhislearningmysecret，whichhasbeenmyjoyandpride，insuchanugly，clumsyway——thatheshouldlearnitfromyou!Anditwouldputmeinahorriblydisagreeableposition——
Krogstad。Onlydisagreeable？
Nora（impetuously）。Well，doit，then!——anditwillbetheworseforyou。Myhusbandwillseeforhimselfwhatablackguardyouare，andyoucertainlywon’tkeepyourpostthen。
Krogstad。Iaskedyouifitwasonlyadisagreeablesceneathomethatyouwereafraidof？
Nora。Ifmyhusbanddoesgettoknowofit，ofcoursehewillatoncepayyouwhatisstillowing，andweshallhavenothingmoretodowithyou。
Krogstad（comingastepnearer）。Listentome，Mrs。Helmer。
Eitheryouhaveaverybadmemoryoryouknowverylittleofbusiness。Ishallbeobligedtoremindyouofafewdetails。
Nora。Whatdoyoumean？
Krogstad。Whenyourhusbandwasill，youcametometoborrowtwohundredandfiftypounds。
Nora。Ididn’tknowanyoneelsetogoto。
Krogstad。Ipromisedtogetyouthatamount——
Nora。Yes，andyoudidso。
Krogstad。Ipromisedtogetyouthatamount，oncertainconditions。Yourmindwassotakenupwithyourhusband’sillness，andyouweresoanxioustogetthemoneyforyourjourney，thatyouseemtohavepaidnoattentiontotheconditionsofourbargain。ThereforeitwillnotbeamissifIremindyouofthem。Now，IpromisedtogetthemoneyonthesecurityofabondwhichIdrewup。
Nora。Yes，andwhichIsigned。
Krogstad。Good。Butbelowyoursignaturetherewereafewlinesconstitutingyourfatherasuretyforthemoney；thoselinesyourfathershouldhavesigned。
Nora。Should？Hedidsignthem。
Krogstad。Ihadleftthedateblank；thatistosay，yourfathershouldhimselfhaveinsertedthedateonwhichhesignedthepaper。
Doyourememberthat？
Nora。Yes，IthinkIremember——
Krogstad。ThenIgaveyouthebondtosendbyposttoyourfather。Isthatnotso？
Nora。Yes。
Krogstad。Andyounaturallydidsoatonce，becausefiveorsixdaysafterwardsyoubroughtmethebondwithyourfather’ssignature。AndthenIgaveyouthemoney。
Nora。Well，haven’tIbeenpayingitoffregularly？
Krogstad。Fairlyso，yes。But——tocomebacktothematterinhand——thatmusthavebeenaverytryingtimeforyou，Mrs。
Helmer？
Nora。Itwas，indeed。
Krogstad。Yourfatherwasveryill，wasn’the？
Nora。Hewasverynearhisend。
Krogstad。Anddiedsoonafterwards？
Nora。Yes。
Krogstad。Tellme，Mrs。Helmer，canyoubyanychancerememberwhatdayyourfatherdied？——onwhatdayofthemonth，Imean。
Nora。Papadiedonthe29thofSeptember。
Krogstad。Thatiscorrect；Ihaveascertaineditformyself。And，asthatisso，thereisadiscrepancy（takingapaperfromhispocket）whichIcannotaccountfor。
Nora。Whatdiscrepancy？Idon’tknow——
Krogstad。Thediscrepancyconsists，Mrs。Helmer，inthefactthatyourfathersignedthisbondthreedaysafterhisdeath。
Nora。Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstand——
Krogstad。Yourfatherdiedonthe29thofSeptember。But，lookhere；yourfatherhasdatedhissignaturethe2ndofOctober。Itisadiscrepancy，isn’tit？（NORAissilent。）Canyouexplainittome？（NORAisstillsilent。）Itisaremarkablething，too，thatthewords\"2ndofOctober，\"aswellastheyear，arenotwritteninyourfather’shandwritingbutinonethatIthinkI
know。Well，ofcourseitcanbeexplained；yourfathermayhaveforgottentodatehissignature，andsomeoneelsemayhavedatedithaphazardbeforetheyknewofhisdeath。Thereisnoharminthat。Italldependsonthesignatureofthename；andthatisgenuine，Isuppose，Mrs。Helmer？Itwasyourfatherhimselfwhosignedhisnamehere？
Nora（afterashortpause，throwsherheadupandlooksdefiantlyathim）。No，itwasnot。ItwasIthatwrotepapa’sname。
Krogstad。Areyouawarethatisadangerousconfession？
Nora。Inwhatway？Youshallhaveyourmoneysoon。
Krogstad。Letmeaskyouaquestion；whydidyounotsendthepapertoyourfather？
Nora。Itwasimpossible；papawassoill。IfIhadaskedhimforhissignature，Ishouldhavehadtotellhimwhatthemoneywastobeusedfor；andwhenhewassoillhimselfIcouldn’ttellhimthatmyhusband’slifewasindanger——itwasimpossible。
Krogstad。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyouifyouhadgivenupyourtripabroad。
Nora。No，thatwasimpossible。Thattripwastosavemyhusband’slife；Icouldn’tgivethatup。
Krogstad。Butdiditneveroccurtoyouthatyouwerecommittingafraudonme？
Nora。Icouldn’ttakethatintoaccount；Ididn’ttroublemyselfaboutyouatall。Icouldn’tbearyou，becauseyouputsomanyheartlessdifficultiesinmyway，althoughyouknewwhatadangerousconditionmyhusbandwasin。
Krogstad。Mrs。Helmer，youevidentlydonotrealiseclearlywhatitisthatyouhavebeenguiltyof。ButIcanassureyouthatmyonefalsestep，whichlostmeallmyreputation，wasnothingmoreornothingworsethanwhatyouhavedone。
Nora。You？Doyouaskmetobelievethatyouwerebraveenoughtorunarisktosaveyourwife’slife？
Krogstad。Thelawcaresnothingaboutmotives。
Nora。Thenitmustbeaveryfoolishlaw。
Krogstad。Foolishornot，itisthelawbywhichyouwillbejudged，ifIproducethispaperincourt。
Nora。Idon’tbelieveit。Isadaughternottobeallowedtospareherdyingfatheranxietyandcare？Isawifenottobeallowedtosaveherhusband’slife？Idon’tknowmuchaboutlaw；
butIamcertainthattheremustbelawspermittingsuchthingsasthat。Haveyounoknowledgeofsuchlaws——youwhoarealawyer？Youmustbeaverypoorlawyer，Mr。Krogstad。
Krogstad。Maybe。Butmattersofbusiness——suchbusinessasyouandIhavehadtogether——doyouthinkIdon’tunderstandthat？
Verywell。Doasyouplease。Butletmetellyouthis——ifIlosemypositionasecondtime，youshallloseyourswithme。（Hebows，andgoesoutthroughthehall。）
Nora（appearsburiedinthoughtforashorttime，thentossesherhead）。Nonsense!Tryingtofrightenmelikethat!——Iamnotsosillyashethinks。（Beginstobusyherselfputtingthechildren’sthingsinorder。）Andyet——？No，it’simpossible!Ididitforlove’ssake。
TheChildren（inthedoorwayontheleft）。Mother，thestrangermanhasgoneoutthroughthegate。
Nora。Yes，dears，Iknow。But，don’ttellanyoneaboutthestrangerman。Doyouhear？Notevenpapa。
Children。No，mother；butwillyoucomeandplayagain？
Nora。No，no，——notnow。
Children。But，mother，youpromisedus。
Nora。Yes，butIcan’tnow。Runawayin；Ihavesuchalottodo。
Runawayin，mysweetlittledarlings。（Shegetsthemintotheroombydegreesandshutsthedooronthem；thensitsdownonthesofa，takesupapieceofneedleworkandsewsafewstitches，butsoonstops。）No!（Throwsdownthework，getsup，goestothehalldoorandcallsout。）Helen!bringtheTreein。（Goestothetableontheleft，opensadrawer，andstopsagain。）No，no!itisquiteimpossible!
Maid（cominginwiththeTree）。WhereshallIputit，ma’am？
Nora。Here，inthemiddleofthefloor。
Maid。ShallIgetyouanythingelse？
Nora。No，thankyou。IhaveallIwant。[ExitMAID。]
Nora（beginsdressingthetree）。Acandlehere—andflowershere——
Thehorribleman!It’sallnonsense——there’snothingwrong。Thetreeshallbesplendid!IwilldoeverythingIcanthinkoftopleaseyou，Torvald!——Iwillsingforyou，danceforyou——（HELMER
comesinwithsomepapersunderhisarm。）Oh!areyoubackalready？。
Helmer。Yes。Hasanyonebeenhere？
Nora。Here？No。
Helmer。Thatisstrange。IsawKrogstadgoingoutofthegate。
Nora。Didyou？Ohyes，Iforgot，Krogstadwashereforamoment。
Helmer。Nora，Icanseefromyourmannerthathehasbeenherebeggingyoutosayagoodwordforhim。
Nora。Yes。
Helmer。Andyouweretoappeartodoitofyourownaccord；youweretoconcealfrommethefactofhishavingbeenhere；didn’thebegthatofyoutoo？
Nora。Yes，Torvald，but——
Helmer。Nora，Nora，andyouwouldbeapartytothatsortofthing？Tohaveanytalkwithamanlikethat，andgivehimanysortofpromise？Andtotellmealieintothebargain？
Nora。Alie——？
Helmer。Didn’tyoutellmenoonehadbeenhere？（Shakeshisfingerather。）Mylittlesongbirdmustneverdothatagain。A
songbirdmusthaveacleanbeaktochirpwith——nofalsenotes!
（Putshisarmroundherwaist。）Thatisso，isn’tit？Yes，Iamsureitis。（Letshergo。）Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。（Sitsdownbythestove。）Howwarmandsnugitishere!（Turnsoverhispapers。）
Nora（afterashortpause，duringwhichshebusiesherselfwiththeChristmasTree。）Torvald!
Helmer。Yes。
Nora。Iamlookingforwardtremendouslytothefancy—dressballattheStenborgs’thedayaftertomorrow。
Helmer。AndIamtremendouslycurioustoseewhatyouaregoingtosurprisemewith。
Nora。Itwasverysillyofmetowanttodothat。
Helmer。Whatdoyoumean？
Nora。Ican’thituponanythingthatwilldo；everythingIthinkofseemssosillyandinsignificant。
Helmer。DoesmylittleNoraacknowledgethatatlast？
Nora（standingbehindhischairwithherarmsonthebackofit）。
Areyouverybusy，Torvald？
Helmer。Well——Nora。Whatareallthosepapers？
Helmer。Bankbusiness。
Nora。Already？
Helmer。Ihavegotauthorityfromtheretiringmanagertoundertakethenecessarychangesinthestaffandintherearrangementofthework；andImustmakeuseoftheChristmasweekforthat，soastohaveeverythinginorderforthenewyear。
Nora。ThenthatwaswhythispoorKrogstad——
Helmer。Hm!
Nora（leansagainstthebackofhischairandstrokeshishair）。
Ifyouhadn’tbeensobusyIshouldhaveaskedyouatremendouslybigfavour，Torvald。
Helmer。Whatisthat？Tellme。
Nora。Thereisnoonehassuchgoodtasteasyou。AndIdosowanttolookniceatthefancy—dressball。Torvald，couldn’tyoutakemeinhandanddecidewhatIshallgoas，andwhatsortofadressIshallwear？
Helmer。Aha!somyobstinatelittlewomanisobligedtogetsomeonetocometoherrescue？
Nora。Yes，Torvald，Ican’tgetalongabitwithoutyourhelp。
Helmer。Verywell，Iwillthinkitover，weshallmanagetohituponsomething。
Nora。Thatisniceofyou。（GoestotheChristmasTree。Ashortpause。）Howprettytheredflowerslook——。But，tellme，wasitreallysomethingverybadthatthisKrogstadwasguiltyof？
Helmer。Heforgedsomeone’sname。Haveyouanyideawhatthatmeans？
Nora。Isn’titpossiblethathewasdriventodoitbynecessity？
Helmer。Yes；or，asinsomanycases，byimprudence。Iamnotsoheartlessastocondemnamanaltogetherbecauseofasinglefalsestepofthatkind。
Nora。No，youwouldn’t，wouldyou，Torvald？
Helmer。Manyamanhasbeenabletoretrievehischaracter，ifhehasopenlyconfessedhisfaultandtakenhispunishment。
Nora。Punishment——？
Helmer。ButKrogstaddidnothingofthatsort；hegothimselfoutofitbyacunningtrick，andthatiswhyhehasgoneunderaltogether。
Nora。Butdoyouthinkitwould——？
Helmer。Justthinkhowaguiltymanlikethathastolieandplaythehypocritewitheveryone，howhehastowearamaskinthepresenceofthosenearanddeartohim，evenbeforehisownwifeandchildren。Andaboutthechildren——thatisthemostterriblepartofitall，Nora。
Nora。How？
Helmer。Becausesuchanatmosphereofliesinfectsandpoisonsthewholelifeofahome。Eachbreaththechildrentakeinsuchahouseisfullofthegermsofevil。
Nora（comingnearerhim）。Areyousureofthat？
Helmer。Mydear，Ihaveoftenseenitinthecourseofmylifeasalawyer。Almosteveryonewhohasgonetothebadearlyinlifehashadadeceitfulmother。
Nora。Whydoyouonlysay——mother？
Helmer。Itseemsmostcommonlytobethemother’sinfluence，thoughnaturallyabadfather’swouldhavethesameresult。Everylawyerisfamiliarwiththefact。ThisKrogstad，now，hasbeenpersistentlypoisoninghisownchildrenwithliesanddissimulation；thatiswhyIsayhehaslostallmoralcharacter。
（Holdsouthishandstoher。）ThatiswhymysweetlittleNoramustpromisemenottopleadhiscause。Givemeyourhandonit。
Come，come，whatisthis？Givemeyourhand。Therenow，that’ssettled。Iassureyouitwouldbequiteimpossibleformetoworkwithhim；IliterallyfeelphysicallyillwhenIaminthecompanyofsuchpeople。
Nora（takesherhandoutofhisandgoestotheoppositesideoftheChristmasTree）。Howhotitisinhere；andIhavesuchalottodo。
Helmer（gettingupandputtinghispapersinorder）。Yes，andI
musttryandreadthroughsomeofthesebeforedinner；andImustthinkaboutyourcostume，too。AnditisjustpossibleImayhavesomethingreadyingoldpapertohangupontheTree。（Putshishandonherhead。）Mypreciouslittlesinging—bird!（Hegoesintohisroomandshutsthedoorafterhim。）
Nora（afterapause，whispers）。No，no——itisn’ttrue。It’simpossible；itmustbeimpossible。
（TheNURSEopensthedoorontheleft。）
Nurse。Thelittleonesarebeggingsohardtobeallowedtocomeintomamma。
Nora。No，no，no!Don’tletthemcomeintome!Youstaywiththem，Anne。
Nurse。Verywell，ma’am。（Shutsthedoor。）
Nora（palewithterror）。Depravemylittlechildren？Poisonmyhome？（Ashortpause。Thenshetossesherhead。）It’snottrue。
Itcan’tpossiblybetrue。
ACTII
（THESAMESCENE。——THEChristmasTreeisinthecornerbythepiano，strippedofitsornamentsandwithburnt—downcandle—endsonitsdishevelledbranches。NORA’Scloakandhatarelyingonthesofa。Sheisaloneintheroom，walkingaboutuneasily。Shestopsbythesofaandtakesuphercloak。）
Nora（dropshercloak）。Someoneiscomingnow!（Goestothedoorandlistens。）No——itisnoone。Ofcourse，noonewillcometoday，ChristmasDay——nortomorroweither。But，perhaps——（opensthedoorandlooksout）。No，nothingintheletterbox；itisquiteempty。（Comesforward。）Whatrubbish!ofcoursehecan’tbeinearnestaboutit。Suchathingcouldn’thappen；itisimpossible——Ihavethreelittlechildren。
（EntertheNURSEfromtheroomontheleft，carryingabigcardboardbox。）
Nurse。AtlastIhavefoundtheboxwiththefancydress。
Nora。Thanks；putitonthetable。
Nurse（doingso）。Butitisverymuchinwantofmending。
Nora。Ishouldliketotearitintoahundredthousandpieces。
Nurse。Whatanidea!Itcaneasilybeputinorder——justalittlepatience。
Nora。Yes，IwillgoandgetMrs。Lindetocomeandhelpmewithit。
Nurse。What，outagain？Inthishorribleweather？Youwillcatchcold，ma’am，andmakeyourselfill。
Nora。Well，worsethanthatmighthappen。Howarethechildren？
Nurse。ThepoorlittlesoulsareplayingwiththeirChristmaspresents，but——
Nora。Dotheyaskmuchforme？
Nurse。Yousee，theyaresoaccustomedtohavetheirmammawiththem。
Nora。Yes，but，nurse，IshallnotbeabletobesomuchwiththemnowasIwasbefore。
Nurse。Ohwell，youngchildreneasilygetaccustomedtoanything。
Nora。Doyouthinkso？Doyouthinktheywouldforgettheirmotherifshewentawayaltogether？
Nurse。Goodheavens!——wentawayaltogether？
Nora。Nurse，IwantyoutotellmesomethingIhaveoftenwonderedabout——howcouldyouhavethehearttoputyourownchildoutamongstrangers？
Nurse。Iwasobligedto，ifIwantedtobelittleNora’snurse。
Nora。Yes，buthowcouldyoubewillingtodoit？
Nurse。What，whenIwasgoingtogetsuchagoodplacebyit？A
poorgirlwhohasgotintotroubleshouldbegladto。Besides，thatwickedmandidn’tdoasinglethingforme。
Nora。ButIsupposeyourdaughterhasquiteforgottenyou。
Nurse。No，indeedshehasn’t。Shewrotetomewhenshewasconfirmed，andwhenshewasmarried。
Nora（puttingherarmsroundherneck）。DearoldAnne，youwereagoodmothertomewhenIwaslittle。
Nurse。LittleNora，poordear，hadnoothermotherbutme。Nora。
Andifmylittleoneshadnoothermother，Iamsureyouwould——
WhatnonsenseIamtalking!（Opensthebox。）Gointothem。NowI
must——。YouwillseetomorrowhowcharmingIshalllook。
Nurse。Iamsuretherewillbenooneattheballsocharmingasyou，ma’am。（Goesintotheroomontheleft。）
Nora（beginstounpackthebox，butsoonpushesitawayfromher）。IfonlyIdaredgoout。Ifonlynoonewouldcome。IfonlyIcouldbesurenothingwouldhappenhereinthemeantime。Stuffandnonsense!Noonewillcome。OnlyImustn’tthinkaboutit。I
willbrushmymuff。Whatlovely，lovelygloves!Outofmythoughts，outofmythoughts!One，two，three，four，five，six——
（Screams。）Ah!thereissomeonecoming——。（Makesamovementtowardsthedoor，butstandsirresolute。）
（EnterMRS。LINDEfromthehall，whereshehastakenoffhercloakandhat。）
Nora。Oh，it’syou，Christine。Thereisnooneelseoutthere，isthere？Howgoodofyoutocome!
Mrs。Linde。Iheardyouwereupaskingforme。
Nora。Yes，Iwaspassingby。Asamatteroffact，itissomethingyoucouldhelpmewith。Letussitdownhereonthesofa。Lookhere。Tomorroweveningthereistobeafancy—dressballattheStenborgs’，wholiveaboveus；andTorvaldwantsmetogoasaNeapolitanfisher—girl，anddancetheTarantellathatIlearnedatCapri。
Mrs。Linde。Isee；youaregoingtokeepupthecharacter。
Nora。Yes，Torvaldwantsmeto。Look，hereisthedress；Torvaldhaditmadeformethere，butnowitisallsotorn，andIhaven’tanyidea——
Mrs。Linde。Wewilleasilyputthatright。Itisonlysomeofthetrimmingcomeunsewnhereandthere。Needleandthread？Nowthen，that’sallwewant。
Nora。Itisniceofyou。
Mrs。Linde（sewing）。SoyouaregoingtobedresseduptomorrowNora。Iwilltellyouwhat——Ishallcomeinforamomentandseeyouinyourfinefeathers。ButIhavecompletelyforgottentothankyouforadelightfuleveningyesterday。
Nora（getsup，andcrossesthestage）。Well，Idon’tthinkyesterdaywasaspleasantasusual。Yououghttohavecometotownalittleearlier，Christine。CertainlyTorvalddoesunderstandhowtomakeahousedaintyandattractive。
Mrs。Linde。Andsodoyou，itseemstome；youarenotyourfather’sdaughterfornothing。Buttellme，isDoctorRankalwaysasdepressedashewasyesterday？
Nora。No；yesterdayitwasverynoticeable。Imusttellyouthathesuffersfromaverydangerousdisease。Hehasconsumptionofthespine，poorcreature。Hisfatherwasahorriblemanwhocommittedallsortsofexcesses；andthatiswhyhissonwassicklyfromchildhood，doyouunderstand？
Mrs。Linde（droppinghersewing）。But，mydearestNora，howdoyouknowanythingaboutsuchthings？
Nora（walkingabout）。Pooh!Whenyouhavethreechildren，yougetvisitsnowandthenfrom——frommarriedwomen，whoknowsomethingofmedicalmatters，andtheytalkaboutonethingandanother。
Mrs。Linde（goesonsewing。Ashortsilence）。DoesDoctorRankcomehereeveryday？
Nora。Everydayregularly。HeisTorvald’smostintimatefriend，andagreatfriendofminetoo。Heisjustlikeoneofthefamily。
Mrs。Linde。Buttellmethis——isheperfectlysincere？Imean，isn’thethekindofmanthatisveryanxioustomakehimselfagreeable？
Nora。Notintheleast。Whatmakesyouthinkthat？
Mrs。Linde。Whenyouintroducedhimtomeyesterday，hedeclaredhehadoftenheardmynamementionedinthishouse；butafterwardsI
noticedthatyourhusbandhadn’ttheslightestideawhoIwas。
SohowcouldDoctorRank——？
Nora。Thatisquiteright，Christine。Torvaldissoabsurdlyfondofmethathewantsmeabsolutelytohimself，ashesays。AtfirstheusedtoseemalmostjealousifImentionedanyofthedearfolkathome，sonaturallyIgaveupdoingso。ButIoftentalkaboutsuchthingswithDoctorRank，becausehelikeshearingaboutthem。
Mrs。Linde。Listentome，Nora。Youarestillverylikeachildinmanythings，andIamolderthanyouinmanywaysandhavealittlemoreexperience。Letmetellyouthis——yououghttomakeanendofitwithDoctorRank。
Nora。WhatoughtItomakeanendof？
Mrs。Linde。Oftwothings，Ithink。Yesterdayyoutalkedsomenonsenseaboutarichadmirerwhowastoleaveyoumoney——
Nora。Anadmirerwhodoesn’texist，unfortunately!Butwhatthen？
Mrs。Linde。IsDoctorRankamanofmeans？
Nora。Yes，heis。
Mrs。Linde。Andhasnoonetoprovidefor？
Nora。No，noone；but——
Mrs。Linde。Andcomeshereeveryday？
Nora。Yes，Itoldyouso。
Mrs。Linde。Buthowcanthiswell—bredmanbesotactless？
Nora。Idon’tunderstandyouatall。
Mrs。Linde。Don’tprevaricate，Nora。DoyousupposeIdon’tguesswholentyouthetwohundredandfiftypounds？
Nora。Areyououtofyoursenses？Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing!
Afriendofours，whocomeshereeveryday!Doyourealisewhatahorriblypainfulpositionthatwouldbe？
Mrs。Linde。Thenitreallyisn’the？
Nora。No，certainlynot。Itwouldneverhaveenteredintomyheadforamoment。Besides，hehadnomoneytolendthen；hecameintohismoneyafterwards。
Mrs。Linde。Well，Ithinkthatwasluckyforyou，mydearNora。
Nora。No，itwouldneverhavecomeintomyheadtoaskDoctorRank。AlthoughIamquitesurethatifIhadaskedhim——
Mrs。Linde。Butofcourseyouwon’t。
Nora。Ofcoursenot。Ihavenoreasontothinkitcouldpossiblybenecessary。ButIamquitesurethatifItoldDoctorRank——
Mrs。Linde。Behindyourhusband’sback？
Nora。Imustmakeanendofitwiththeotherone，andthatwillbebehindhisbacktoo。Imustmakeanendofitwithhim。
Mrs。Linde。Yes，thatiswhatItoldyouyesterday，but——
Nora（walkingupanddown）。Amancanputathinglikethatstraightmucheasierthanawoman——
Mrs。Linde。One’shusband，yes。
Nora。Nonsense!（Standingstill。）Whenyoupayoffadebtyougetyourbondback，don’tyou？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，asamatterofcourse。
Nora。Andcantearitintoahundredthousandpieces，andburnitup——thenastydirtypaper!
Mrs。Linde（lookshardather，laysdownhersewingandgetsupslowly）。Nora，youareconcealingsomethingfromme。
Nora。DoIlookasifIwere？
Mrs。Linde。Somethinghashappenedtoyousinceyesterdaymorning。
Nora，whatisit？
Nora（goingnearertoher）。Christine!（Listens。）Hush!there’sTorvaldcomehome。Doyoumindgoingintothechildrenforthepresent？Torvaldcan’tbeartoseedressmakinggoingon。LetAnnehelpyou。
Mrs。Linde（gatheringsomeofthethingstogether）。Certainly——
butIamnotgoingawayfromhereuntilwehavehaditoutwithoneanother。（Shegoesintotheroomontheleft，asHELMERcomesinfromthehail。）
Nora（goinguptoHELMER）。Ihavewantedyousomuch，Torvalddear。
Helmer。Wasthatthedressmaker？
Nora。No，itwasChristine；sheishelpingmetoputmydressinorder。YouwillseeIshalllookquitesmart。
Helmer。Wasn’tthatahappythoughtofmine，now？
Nora。Splendid!Butdon’tyouthinkitisniceofme，too，todoasyouwish？
Helmer。Nice？——becauseyoudoasyourhusbandwishes？Well，well，youlittlerogue，Iamsureyoudidnotmeanitinthatway。ButIamnotgoingtodisturbyou；youwillwanttobetryingonyourdress，Iexpect。
Nora。Isupposeyouaregoingtowork。
Helmer。Yes。（Showsherabundleofpapers。）Lookatthat。Ihavejustbeenintothebank。（Turnstogointohisroom。）
Nora。Torvald。
Helmer。Yes。
Nora。Ifyourlittlesquirrelweretoaskyouforsomethingvery，veryprettily——？
Helmer。Whatthen？
Nora。Wouldyoudoit？
Helmer。Ishouldliketohearwhatitis，first。
Nora。Yoursquirrelwouldrunaboutanddoallhertricksifyouwouldbenice，anddowhatshewants。
Helmer。Speakplainly。
Nora。Yourskylarkwouldchirpaboutineveryroom，withhersongrisingandfalling——
Helmer。Well，myskylarkdoesthatanyhow。
Nora。Iwouldplaythefairyanddanceforyouinthemoonlight，Torvald。
Helmer。Nora——yousurelydon’tmeanthatrequestyoumadetomethismorning？
Nora（goingnearhim）。Yes，Torvald，Ibegyousoearnestly——
Helmer。Haveyoureallythecouragetoopenupthatquestionagain？
Nora。Yes，dear，youmustdoasIask；youmustletKrogstadkeephispostinthebank。
Helmer。MydearNora，itishispostthatIhavearrangedMrs。
Lindeshallhave。
Nora。Yes，youhavebeenawfullykindaboutthat；butyoucouldjustaswelldismisssomeotherclerkinsteadofKrogstad。
Helmer。Thisissimplyincredibleobstinacy!Becauseyouchosetogivehimathoughtlesspromisethatyouwouldspeakforhim，Iamexpectedto——
Nora。Thatisn’tthereason，Torvald。Itisforyourownsake。
Thisfellowwritesinthemostscurrilousnewspapers；youhavetoldmesoyourself。Hecandoyouanunspeakableamountofharm。
Iamfrightenedtodeathofhim——
Helmer。Ah，Iunderstand；itisrecollectionsofthepastthatscareyou。
Nora。Whatdoyoumean？
Helmer。Naturallyyouarethinkingofyourfather。
Nora。Yes——yes，ofcourse。Justrecalltoyourmindwhatthesemaliciouscreatureswroteinthepapersaboutpapa，andhowhorriblytheyslanderedhim。IbelievetheywouldhaveprocuredhisdismissaliftheDepartmenthadnotsentyouovertoinquireintoit，andifyouhadnotbeensokindlydisposedandhelpfultohim。
Helmer。MylittleNora，thereisanimportantdifferencebetweenyourfatherandme。Yourfather’sreputationasapublicofficialwasnotabovesuspicion。Mineis，andIhopeitwillcontinuetobeso，aslongasIholdmyoffice。
Nora。Younevercantellwhatmischiefthesemenmaycontrive。Weoughttobesowelloff，sosnugandhappyhereinourpeacefulhome，andhavenocares——youandIandthechildren，Torvald!
ThatiswhyIbegyousoearnestly——
Helmer。Anditisjustbyintercedingforhimthatyoumakeitimpossibleformetokeephim。ItisalreadyknownattheBankthatImeantodismissKrogstad。Isittogetaboutnowthatthenewmanagerhaschangedhismindathiswife’sbidding——
Nora。Andwhatifitdid？
Helmer。Ofcourse!——ifonlythisobstinatelittlepersoncangetherway!DoyousupposeIamgoingtomakemyselfridiculousbeforemywholestaff，toletpeoplethinkthatIamamantobeswayedbyallsortsofoutsideinfluence？Ishouldverysoonfeeltheconsequencesofit，Icantellyou!Andbesides，thereisonethingthatmakesitquiteimpossibleformetohaveKrogstadintheBankaslongasIammanager。
Nora。Whateveristhat？
Helmer。HismoralfailingsImightperhapshaveoverlooked，ifnecessary——
Nora。Yes，youcould——couldn’tyou？
Helmer。AndIhearheisagoodworker，too。ButIknewhimwhenwewereboys。Itwasoneofthoserashfriendshipsthatsooftenproveanincubusinafterlife。Imayaswelltellyouplainly，wewereonceonveryintimatetermswithoneanother。Butthistactlessfellowlaysnorestraintonhimselfwhenotherpeoplearepresent。Onthecontrary，hethinksitgiveshimtherighttoadoptafamiliartonewithme，andeveryminuteitis\"Isay，Helmer，oldfellow!\"andthatsortofthing。Iassureyouitisextremelypainfulforme。HewouldmakemypositionintheBankintolerable。
Nora。Torvald，Idon’tbelieveyoumeanthat。
Helmer。Don’tyou？Whynot？
Nora。Becauseitissuchanarrow—mindedwayoflookingatthings。
Helmer。Whatareyousaying？Narrow—minded？DoyouthinkIamnarrow—minded？
Nora。No，justtheopposite，dear——anditisexactlyforthatreason。
Helmer。It’sthesamething。Yousaymypointofviewisnarrow—
minded，soImustbesotoo。Narrow—minded!Verywell——Imustputanendtothis。（Goestothehalldoorandcalls。）Helen!
Nora。Whatareyougoingtodo？
Helmer（lookingamonghispapers）。Settleit。（EnterMAID。）Lookhere；takethisletterandgodownstairswithitatonce。Findamessengerandtellhimtodeliverit，andbequick。Theaddressisonit，andhereisthemoney。
Maid。Verywell，sir。（Exitwiththeletter。）
Helmer（puttinghispaperstogether）。Nowthen，littleMissObstinate。
Nora（breathlessly）。Torvald——whatwasthatletter？
Helmer。Krogstad’sdismissal。
Nora。Callherback，Torvald!Thereisstilltime。OhTorvald，callherback!Doitformysake——foryourownsake——forthechildren’ssake!Doyouhearme，Torvald？Callherback!Youdon’tknowwhatthatlettercanbringuponus。
Helmer。It’stoolate。
Nora。Yes，it’stoolate。
Helmer。MydearNora，Icanforgivetheanxietyyouarein，althoughreallyitisaninsulttome。Itis，indeed。Isn’titaninsulttothinkthatIshouldbeafraidofastarvingquill—driver’svengeance？ButIforgiveyounevertheless，becauseitissucheloquentwitnesstoyourgreatloveforme。（Takesherinhisarms。）Andthatisasitshouldbe，myowndarlingNora。Comewhatwill，youmaybesureIshallhavebothcourageandstrengthiftheybeneeded。YouwillseeIammanenoughtotakeeverythinguponmyself。
Nora（inahorror—strickenvoice）。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
Helmer。Everything，Isay——
Nora（recoveringherself）。Youwillneverhavetodothat。
Helmer。That’sright。Well，wewillshareit，Nora，asmanandwifeshould。Thatishowitshallbe。（Caressingher。）
Areyoucontentnow？There!There!——notthesefrighteneddove’seyes!Thewholethingisonlythewildestfancy!——Now，youmustgoandplaythroughtheTarantellaandpractisewithyourtambourine。Ishallgointotheinnerofficeandshutthedoor，andIshallhearnothing；youcanmakeasmuchnoiseasyouplease。（Turnsbackatthedoor。）AndwhenRankcomes，tellhimwherehewillfindme。（Nodstoher，takeshispapersandgoesintohisroom，andshutsthedoorafterhim。）
Nora（bewilderedwithanxiety，standsasifrootedtothespot，andwhispers）。Hewascapableofdoingit。Hewilldoit。Hewilldoitinspiteofeverything。——No，notthat!Never，never!
AnythingratherthanthatIOh，forsomehelp，somewayoutofit!（Thedoor—bellrings。）DoctorRank!Anythingratherthanthat——anything，whateveritis!（Sheputsherhandsoverherface，pullsherselftogether，goestothedoorandopensit。RANK
isstandingwithout，hanginguphiscoat。Duringthefollowingdialogueitbeginstogrowdark。）
Nora。Goodday，DoctorRank。Iknewyourring。Butyoumustn’tgointoTorvaldnow；Ithinkheisbusywithsomething。
Rank。Andyou？
Nora（bringshiminandshutsthedoorafterhim）。Oh，youknowverywellIalwayshavetimeforyou。
Rank。Thankyou。IshallmakeuseofasmuchofitasIcan。
Nora。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Asmuchofitasyoucan？
Rank。Well，doesthatalarmyou？
Nora。Itwassuchastrangewayofputtingit。Isanythinglikelytohappen？
Rank。NothingbutwhatIhavelongbeenpreparedfor。ButI
certainlydidn’texpectittohappensosoon。
Nora（grippinghimbythearm）。Whathaveyoufoundout？DoctorRank，youmusttellme。
Rank（sittingdownbythestove）。Itisallupwithme。Anditcan’tbehelped。
Nora（withasighofrelief）。Isitaboutyourself？
Rank。Whoelse？Itisnouselyingtoone’sself。Iamthemostwretchedofallmypatients，Mrs。Helmer。LatelyIhavebeentakingstockofmyinternaleconomy。Bankrupt!ProbablywithinamonthIshalllierottinginthechurchyard。
Nora。Whatanuglythingtosay!
Rank。Thethingitselfiscursedlyugly，andtheworstofitisthatIshallhavetofacesomuchmorethatisuglybeforethat。
Ishallonlymakeonemoreexaminationofmyself；whenIhavedonethat，Ishallknowprettycertainlywhenitwillbethatthehorrorsofdissolutionwillbegin。ThereissomethingIwanttotellyou。Helmer’srefinednaturegiveshimanunconquerabledisgustateverythingthatisugly；Iwon’thavehiminmysick—
room。
Nora。Oh，but，DoctorRank——
Rank。Iwon’thavehimthere。Notonanyaccount。Ibarmydoortohim。AssoonasIamquitecertainthattheworsthascome，I
shallsendyoumycardwithablackcrossonit，andthenyouwillknowthattheloathsomeendhasbegun。
Nora。Youarequiteabsurdtoday。AndIwantedyousomuchtobeinareallygoodhumour。
Rank。Withdeathstalkingbesideme？——Tohavetopaythispenaltyforanotherman’ssin？Isthereanyjusticeinthat？Andineverysinglefamily，inonewayoranother，somesuchinexorableretributionisbeingexacted——
Nora（puttingherhandsoverherears）。Rubbish!Dotalkofsomethingcheerful。
Rank。Oh，it’samerelaughingmatter，thewholething。Mypoorinnocentspinehastosufferformyfather’syouthfulamusements。
Nora（sittingatthetableontheleft）。Isupposeyoumeanthathewastoopartialtoasparagusandpatedefoiegras，don’tyou？
Rank。Yes，andtotruffles。
Nora。Truffles，yes。Andoysterstoo，Isuppose？
Rank。Oysters，ofcourse，thatgoeswithoutsaying。
Nora。Andheapsofportandchampagne。Itissadthatallthesenicethingsshouldtaketheirrevengeonourbones。
Rank。Especiallythattheyshouldrevengethemselvesontheunluckybonesofthosewhohavenothadthesatisfactionofenjoyingthem。
Nora。Yes，that’sthesaddestpartofitall。
Rank（withasearchinglookather）。Hm!——
Nora（afterashortpause）。Whydidyousmile？
Rank。No，itwasyouthatlaughed。
Nora。No，itwasyouthatsmiled，DoctorRank!
Rank（rising）。YouareagreaterrascalthanIthought。
Nora。Iaminasillymoodtoday。
Rank。Soitseems。
Nora（puttingherhandsonhisshoulders）。Dear，dearDoctorRank，deathmustn’ttakeyouawayfromTorvaldandme。
Rank。Itisalossyouwouldeasilyrecoverfrom。Thosewhoaregonearesoonforgotten。
Nora（lookingathimanxiously）。Doyoubelievethat？
Rank。Peopleformnewties，andthen——
Nora。Whowillformnewties？
Rank。BothyouandHelmer，whenIamgone。Youyourselfarealreadyonthehighroadtoit，Ithink。WhatdidthatMrs。Lindewantherelastnight？
Nora。Oho!——youdon’tmeantosayyouarejealousofpoorChristine？
Rank。Yes，Iam。Shewillbemysuccessorinthishouse。WhenI
amdonefor，thiswomanwill——
Nora。Hush!don’tspeaksoloud。Sheisinthatroom。
Rank。Todayagain。There，yousee。
Nora。Shehasonlycometosewmydressforme。Blessmysoul，howunreasonableyouare!（Sitsdownonthesofa。）Benicenow，DoctorRank，andtomorrowyouwillseehowbeautifullyIshalldance，andyoucanimagineIamdoingitallforyou——andforTorvaldtoo，ofcourse。（Takesvariousthingsoutofthebox。）
DoctorRank，comeandsitdownhere，andIwillshowyousomething。
Rank（sittingdown）。Whatisit？
Nora。Justlookatthose!
Rank。Silkstockings。
Nora。Flesh—coloured。Aren’ttheylovely？Itissodarkherenow，buttomorrow——。No，no，no!youmustonlylookatthefeet。Ohwell，youmayhaveleavetolookatthelegstoo。
Rank。Hm!——Nora。Whyareyoulookingsocritical？Don’tyouthinktheywillfitme？
Rank。Ihavenomeansofforminganopinionaboutthat。
Nora（looksathimforamoment）。Forshame!（Hitshimlightlyontheearwiththestockings。）That’stopunishyou。（Foldsthemupagain。）
Rank。AndwhatothernicethingsamItobeallowedtosee？
Nora。Notasinglethingmore，forbeingsonaughty。（Shelooksamongthethings，hummingtoherself。）
Rank（afterashortsilence）。WhenIamsittinghere，talkingtoyouasintimatelyasthis，IcannotimagineforamomentwhatwouldhavebecomeofmeifIhadnevercomeintothishouse。
Nora（smiling）。Ibelieveyoudofeelthoroughlyathomewithus。
Rank（inalowervoice，lookingstraightinfrontofhim）。Andtobeobligedtoleaveitall——
Nora。Nonsense，youarenotgoingtoleaveit。
Rank（asbefore）。Andnotbeabletoleavebehindonetheslightesttokenofone’sgratitude，scarcelyevenafleetingregret——nothingbutanemptyplacewhichthefirstcomercanfillaswellasanyother。
Nora。AndifIaskedyounowfora——？No!
Rank。Forwhat？
Nora。Forabigproofofyourfriendship——
Rank。Yes，yes!
Nora。Imeanatremendouslybigfavour——
Rank。Wouldyoureallymakemesohappyforonce？
Nora。Ah，butyoudon’tknowwhatitisyet。
Rank。No——buttellme。
Nora。Ireallycan’t，DoctorRank。Itissomethingoutofallreason；itmeansadvice，andhelp，andafavour——
Rank。Thebiggerathingitisthebetter。Ican’tconceivewhatitisyoumean。Dotellme。Haven’tIyourconfidence？
Nora。Morethananyoneelse。Iknowyouaremytruestandbestfriend，andsoIwilltellyouwhatitis。Well，DoctorRank，itissomethingyoumusthelpmetoprevent。Youknowhowdevotedly，howinexpressiblydeeplyTorvaldlovesme；hewouldneverforamomenthesitatetogivehislifeforme。
Rank（leaningtowardsher）。Nora——doyouthinkheistheonlyone——？
Nora（withaslightstart）。Theonlyone——？
Rank。Theonlyonewhowouldgladlygivehislifeforyoursake。
Nora（sadly）。Isthatit？
Rank。IwasdeterminedyoushouldknowitbeforeIwentaway，andtherewillneverbeabetteropportunitythanthis。Nowyouknowit，Nora。Andnowyouknow，too，thatyoucantrustmeasyouwouldtrustnooneelse。
Nora（rises，deliberatelyandquietly）。Letmepass。
Rank（makesroomforhertopasshim，butsitsstill）。Nora!
Nora（atthehalldoor）。Helen，bringinthelamp。（Goesovertothestove。）DearDoctorRank，thatwasreallyhorridofyou。
Rank。Tohavelovedyouasmuchasanyoneelsedoes？Wasthathorrid？
Nora。No，buttogoandtellmeso。Therewasreallynoneed——
Rank。Whatdoyoumean？Didyouknow——？（MAIDenterswithlamp，putsitdownonthetable，andgoesout。）Nora——Mrs。Helmer——tellme，hadyouanyideaofthis？
Nora。Oh，howdoIknowwhetherIhadorwhetherIhadn’t？I
reallycan’ttellyou——Tothinkyoucouldbesoclumsy，DoctorRank!
Weweregettingonsonicely。
Rank。Well，atalleventsyouknownowthatyoucancommandme，bodyandsoul。Sowon’tyouspeakout？
Nora（lookingathim）。Afterwhathappened？
Rank。Ibegyoutoletmeknowwhatitis。
Nora。Ican’ttellyouanythingnow。
Rank。Yes，yes。Youmustn’tpunishmeinthatway。Letmehavepermissiontodoforyouwhateveramanmaydo。
Nora。Youcandonothingformenow。Besides，Ireallydon’tneedanyhelpatall。Youwillfindthatthewholethingismerelyfancyonmypart。Itreallyisso——ofcourseitis!（Sitsdownintherocking—chair，andlooksathimwithasmile。）Youareanicesortofman，DoctorRank!——don’tyoufeelashamedofyourself，nowthelamphascome？
Rank。Notabit。ButperhapsIhadbettergo——forever？
Nora。No，indeed，youshallnot。Ofcourseyoumustcomeherejustasbefore。YouknowverywellTorvaldcan’tdowithoutyou。
Rank。Yes，butyou？
Nora。Oh，Iamalwaystremendouslypleasedwhenyoucome。
Rank。Itisjustthat，thatputmeonthewrongtrack。Youareariddletome。IhaveoftenthoughtthatyouwouldalmostassoonbeinmycompanyasinHelmer’s。
Nora。Yes——youseetherearesomepeopleonelovesbest，andotherswhomonewouldalmostalwaysratherhaveascompanions。
Rank。Yes，thereissomethinginthat。
Nora。WhenIwasathome，ofcourseIlovedpapabest。ButI
alwaysthoughtittremendousfunifIcouldstealdownintothemaids’room，becausetheynevermoralisedatall，andtalkedtoeachotheraboutsuchentertainingthings。
Rank。Isee——itistheirplaceIhavetaken。
Nora（jumpingupandgoingtohim）。Oh，dear，niceDoctorRank，I
nevermeantthatatall。ButsurelyyoucanunderstandthatbeingwithTorvaldisalittlelikebeingwithpapa——（EnterMAIDfromthehall。）
Maid。Ifyouplease，ma’am。（Whispersandhandsheracard。）
Nora（glancingatthecard）。Oh!（Putsitinherpocket。）
Rank。Isthereanythingwrong？
Nora。No，no，notintheleast。Itisonlysomething——itismynewdress——
Rank。What？Yourdressislyingthere。
Nora。Oh，yes，thatone；butthisisanother。Iorderedit。
Torvaldmustn’tknowaboutit——
Rank。Oho!Thenthatwasthegreatsecret。
Nora。Ofcourse。Justgointohim；heissittingintheinnerroom。Keephimaslongas——
Rank。Makeyourmindeasy；Iwon’tlethimescape。
（GoesintoHELMER’Sroom。）
Nora（totheMAID）。Andheisstandingwaitinginthekitchen？
Maid。Yes；hecameupthebackstairs。
Nora。Butdidn’tyoutellhimnoonewasin？
Maid。Yes，butitwasnogood。
Nora。Hewon’tgoaway？
Maid。No；hesayshewon’tuntilhehasseenyou，ma’am。
Nora。Well，lethimcomein——butquietly。Helen，youmustn’tsayanythingaboutittoanyone。Itisasurpriseformyhusband。
Maid。Yes，ma’am，Iquiteunderstand。（Exit。）
Nora。Thisdreadfulthingisgoingtohappen!Itwillhappeninspiteofme!No，no，no，itcan’thappen——itshan’thappen!（SheboltsthedoorofHELMER’Sroom。TheMAIDopensthehalldoorforKROGSTADandshutsitafterhim。Heiswearingafurcoat，highbootsandafurcap。）
Nora（advancingtowardshim）。Speaklow——myhusbandisathome。
Krogstad。Nomatteraboutthat。
Nora。Whatdoyouwantofme？
Krogstad。Anexplanationofsomething。
Nora。Makehastethen。Whatisit？
Krogstad。Youknow，Isuppose，thatIhavegotmydismissal。
Nora。Icouldn’tpreventit，Mr。Krogstad。IfoughtashardasI
couldonyourside，butitwasnogood。
Krogstad。Doesyourhusbandloveyousolittle，then？HeknowswhatIcanexposeyouto，andyetheventures——
Nora。Howcanyousupposethathehasanyknowledgeofthesort？
Krogstad。Ididn’tsupposesoatall。ItwouldnotbetheleastlikeourdearTorvaldHelmertoshowsomuchcourage——
Nora。Mr。Krogstad，alittlerespectformyhusband，please。
Krogstad。Certainly——alltherespecthedeserves。Butsinceyouhavekeptthemattersocarefullytoyourself，Imakeboldtosupposethatyouhavealittlecleareridea，thanyouhadyesterday，ofwhatitactuallyisthatyouhavedone？
Nora。Morethanyoucouldeverteachme。
Krogstad。Yes，suchabadlawyerasIam。
Nora。Whatisityouwantofme？
Krogstad。Onlytoseehowyouwere，Mrs。Helmer。Ihavebeenthinkingaboutyoualldaylong。Amerecashier，aquill—driver，a——well，amanlikeme——evenhehasalittleofwhatiscalledfeeling，youknow。
Nora。Showit，then；thinkofmylittlechildren。
Krogstad。Haveyouandyourhusbandthoughtofmine？Butnevermindaboutthat。Ionlywantedtotellyouthatyouneednottakethismattertooseriously。Inthefirstplacetherewillbenoaccusationmadeonmypart。
Nora。No，ofcoursenot；Iwassureofthat。
Krogstad。Thewholethingcanbearrangedamicably；thereisnoreasonwhyanyoneshouldknowanythingaboutit。Itwillremainasecretbetweenusthree。
Nora。Myhusbandmustnevergettoknowanythingaboutit。
Krogstad。Howwillyoubeabletopreventit？AmItounderstandthatyoucanpaythebalancethatisowing？
Nora。No，notjustatpresent。
Krogstad。Orperhapsthatyouhavesomeexpedientforraisingthemoneysoon？
Nora。NoexpedientthatImeantomakeuseof。
Krogstad。Well，inanycase，itwouldhavebeenofnousetoyounow。Ifyoustoodtherewitheversomuchmoneyinyourhand，I
wouldneverpartwithyourbond。
Nora。Tellmewhatpurposeyoumeantoputitto。
Krogstad。Ishallonlypreserveit——keepitinmypossession。Noonewhoisnotconcernedinthemattershallhavetheslightesthintofit。Sothatifthethoughtofithasdrivenyoutoanydesperateresolution——
Nora。Ithas。
Krogstad。Ifyouhaditinyourmindtorunawayfromyourhome——
Nora。Ihad。
Krogstad。Orevensomethingworse——
Nora。Howcouldyouknowthat？
Krogstad。Giveuptheidea。
Nora。HowdidyouknowIhadthoughtofthat？
Krogstad。Mostofusthinkofthatatfirst。Idid，too——butI
hadn’tthecourage。
Nora（faintly）。NomorehadI。
Krogstad（inatoneofrelief）。No，that’sit，isn’tit——youhadn’tthecourageeither？
Nora。No，Ihaven’t——Ihaven’t。
Krogstad。Besides，itwouldhavebeenagreatpieceoffolly。
Oncethefirststormathomeisover——。Ihavealetterforyourhusbandinmypocket。
Nora。Tellinghimeverything？
Krogstad。InaslenientamannerasIpossiblycould。
Nora（quickly）。Hemustn’tgettheletter。Tearitup。Iwillfindsomemeansofgettingmoney。
Krogstad。Excuseme，Mrs。Helmer，butIthinkItoldyoujustnow——
Nora。IamnotspeakingofwhatIoweyou。Tellmewhatsumyouareaskingmyhusbandfor，andIwillgetthemoney。
Krogstad。Iamnotaskingyourhusbandforapenny。
Nora。Whatdoyouwant，then？
Krogstad。Iwilltellyou。Iwanttorehabilitatemyself，Mrs。Helmer；Iwanttogeton；andinthatyourhusbandmusthelpme。ForthelastyearandahalfIhavenothadahandinanythingdishonourable，amidallthattimeIhavebeenstrugglinginmostrestrictedcircumstances。Iwascontenttoworkmywayupstepbystep。NowIamturnedout，andI
amnotgoingtobesatisfiedwithmerelybeingtakenintofavouragain。Iwanttogeton，Itellyou。IwanttogetintotheBankagain，inahigherposition。Yourhusbandmustmakeaplaceforme——
Nora。Thathewillneverdo!
Krogstad。Hewill；Iknowhim；hedarenotprotest。AndassoonasIaminthereagainwithhim，thenyouwillsee!WithinayearIshallbethemanager’srighthand。ItwillbeNilsKrogstadandnotTorvaldHelmerwhomanagestheBank。
Nora。That’sathingyouwillneversee!
Krogstad。Doyoumeanthatyouwill——？
Nora。Ihavecourageenoughforitnow。
Krogstad。Oh，youcan’tfrightenme。Afine，spoiltladylikeyou——
Nora。Youwillsee，youwillsee。
Krogstad。Undertheice，perhaps？Downintothecold，coal—blackwater？Andthen，inthespring，tofloatuptothesurface，allhorribleandunrecognisable，withyourhairfallenout——
Nora。Youcan’tfrightenme。
Krogstad。Noryoume。Peopledon’tdosuchthings，Mrs。Helmer。
Besides，whatusewoulditbe？Ishouldhavehimcompletelyinmypowerallthesame。
Nora。Afterwards？WhenIamnolonger——
Krogstad。HaveyouforgottenthatitisIwhohavethekeepingofyourreputation？（NORAstandsspeechlesslylookingathim。）Well，now，Ihavewarnedyou。Donotdoanythingfoolish。WhenHelmerhashadmyletter，Ishallexpectamessagefromhim。Andbesureyourememberthatitisyourhusbandhimselfwhohasforcedmeintosuchwaysasthisagain。Iwillneverforgivehimforthat。
Goodbye，Mrs。Helmer。（Exitthroughthehall。）
Nora（goestothehalldoor，opensitslightlyandlistens。）Heisgoing。Heisnotputtingtheletterinthebox。Ohno，no!
that’simpossible!（Opensthedoorbydegrees。）Whatisthat？Heisstandingoutside。Heisnotgoingdownstairs。Ishehesitating？Canhe——？（Aletterdropsintothebox；thenKROGSTAD’Sfootstepsareheard，untiltheydieawayashegoesdownstairs。NORAuttersastifledcry，andrunsacrosstheroomtothetablebythesofa。Ashortpause。）
Nora。Intheletter—box。（Stealsacrosstothehalldoor。）Thereitlies——Torvald，Torvald，thereisnohopeforusnow!
（Mrs。LINDEcomesinfromtheroomontheleft，carryingthedress。）
Mrs。Linde。There，Ican’tseeanythingmoretomendnow。Wouldyouliketotryiton——？
Nora（inahoarsewhisper）。Christine，comehere。
Mrs。Linde（throwingthedressdownonthesofa）。Whatisthematterwithyou？Youlooksoagitated!
Nora。Comehere。Doyouseethatletter？There，look——youcanseeitthroughtheglassintheletter—box。
Mrs。Linde。Yes，Iseeit。