Nora。ThatletterisfromKrogstad。
Mrs。Linde。Nora——itwasKrogstadwholentyouthemoney!
Nora。Yes，andnowTorvaldwillknowallaboutit。
Mrs。Linde。Believeme，Nora，that’sthebestthingforbothofyou。
Nora。Youdon’tknowall。Iforgedaname。
Mrs。Linde。Goodheavens——!
Nora。Ionlywanttosaythistoyou，Christine——youmustbemywitness。
Mrs。Linde。Yourwitness？Whatdoyoumean？WhatamIto——？
Nora。IfIshouldgooutofmymind——anditmighteasilyhappen——
Mrs。Linde。Nora!
Nora。Orifanythingelseshouldhappentome——anything，forinstance，thatmightpreventmybeinghere——
Mrs。Linde。Nora!Nora!youarequiteoutofyourmind。
Nora。Andifitshouldhappenthatthereweresomeonewhowantedtotakealltheresponsibility，alltheblame，youunderstand——
Mrs。Linde。Yes，yes——buthowcanyousuppose——？
Nora。Thenyoumustbemywitness，thatitisnottrue，Christine。
Iamnotoutofmymindatall；Iaminmyrightsensesnow，andItellyounooneelsehasknownanythingaboutit；I，andI
alone，didthewholething。Rememberthat。
Mrs。Linde。Iwill，indeed。ButIdon’tunderstandallthis。
Nora。Howshouldyouunderstandit？Awonderfulthingisgoingtohappen!
Mrs。Linde。Awonderfulthing？
Nora。Yes，awonderfulthing!——Butitissoterrible，Christine；
itmustn’thappen，notforalltheworld。
Mrs。Linde。IwillgoatonceandseeKrogstad。
Nora。Don’tgotohim；hewilldoyousomeharm。
Mrs。Linde。Therewasatimewhenhewouldgladlydoanythingformysake。
Nora。He？
Mrs。Linde。Wheredoeshelive？
Nora。HowshouldIknow——？Yes（feelinginherpocket），hereishiscard。Buttheletter，theletter——!
Helmer（callsfromhisroom，knockingatthedoor）。Nora!Nora（criesoutanxiously）。Oh，what’sthat？Whatdoyouwant？
Helmer。Don’tbesofrightened。Wearenotcomingin；youhavelockedthedoor。Areyoutryingonyourdress？
Nora。Yes，that’sit。Ilooksonice，Torvald。
Mrs。Linde（whohasreadthecard）。Iseehelivesatthecornerhere。
Nora。Yes，butit’snouse。Itishopeless。Theletterislyingthereinthebox。
Mrs。Linde。Andyourhusbandkeepsthekey？
Nora。Yes，always。
Mrs。Linde。Krogstadmustaskforhisletterbackunread，hemustfindsomepretence——
Nora。ButitisjustatthistimethatTorvaldgenerally——
Mrs。Linde。Youmustdelayhim。Gointohiminthemeantime。I
willcomebackassoonasIcan。（Shegoesouthurriedlythroughthehalldoor。）
Nora（goestoHELMER’Sdoor，opensitandpeepsin）。Torvald!
Helmer（fromtheinnerroom）。Well？MayIventureatlasttocomeintomyownroomagain？Comealong，Rank，nowyouwillsee——
（Haltinginthedoorway。）Butwhatisthis？
Nora。Whatiswhat，dear？
Helmer。Rankledmetoexpectasplendidtransformation。
Rank（inthedoorway）。Iunderstoodso，butevidentlyIwasmistaken。
Nora。Yes，nobodyistohavethechanceofadmiringmeinmydressuntiltomorrow。
Helmer。But，mydearNora，youlooksowornout。Haveyoubeenpractisingtoomuch？
Nora。No，Ihavenotpractisedatall。
Helmer。Butyouwillneedto——
Nora。Yes，indeedIshall，Torvald。ButIcan’tgetonabitwithoutyoutohelpme；Ihaveabsolutelyforgottenthewholething。
Helmer。Oh，wewillsoonworkitupagain。
Nora。Yes，helpme，Torvald。Promisethatyouwill!Iamsonervousaboutit——allthepeople——。Youmustgiveyourselfuptomeentirelythisevening。Notthetiniestbitofbusiness——youmustn’teventakeapeninyourhand。Willyoupromise，Torvalddear？
Helmer。Ipromise。ThiseveningIwillbewhollyandabsolutelyatyourservice，youhelplesslittlemortal。Ah，bytheway，firstofallIwilljust——（Goestowardsthehalldoor。）
Nora。Whatareyougoingtodothere？
Helmer。Onlyseeifanylettershavecome。
Nora。No，no!don’tdothat，Torvald!
Helmer。Whynot？
Nora。Torvald，pleasedon’t。Thereisnothingthere。
Helmer。Well，letmelook。（Turnstogototheletter—box。NORA，atthepiano，playsthefirstbarsoftheTarantella。HELMER
stopsinthedoorway。）Aha!
Nora。Ican’tdancetomorrowifIdon’tpractisewithyou。
Helmer（goinguptoher）。Areyoureallysoafraidofit，dear？
Nora。Yes，sodreadfullyafraidofit。Letmepractiseatonce；
thereistimenow，beforewegotodinner。Sitdownandplayforme，Torvalddear；criticiseme，andcorrectmeasyouplay。
Helmer。Withgreatpleasure，ifyouwishmeto。（Sitsdownatthepiano。）
Nora（takesoutoftheboxatambourineandalongvariegatedshawl。Shehastilydrapestheshawlroundher。Thenshespringstothefrontofthestageandcallsout）。Nowplayforme!Iamgoingtodance!
（HELMERplaysandNORAdances。RANKstandsbythepianobehindHELMER，andlookson。）
Helmer（asheplays）。Slower，slower!
Nora。Ican’tdoitanyotherway。
Helmer。Notsoviolently，Nora!
Nora。Thisistheway。
Helmer（stopsplaying）。No，no——thatisnotabitright。
Nora（laughingandswingingthetambourine）。Didn’tItellyouso？
Rank。Letmeplayforher。
Helmer（gettingup）。Yes，do。Icancorrectherbetterthen。
（RANKsitsdownatthepianoandplays。NORAdancesmoreandmorewildly。HELMERhastakenupapositionbesidethestove，andduringherdancegivesherfrequentinstructions。Shedoesnotseemtohearhim；herhaircomesdownandfallsoverhershoulders；shepaysnoattentiontoit，butgoesondancing。
EnterMrs。LINDE。）
Mrs。Linde（standingasifspell—boundinthedoorway）。Oh!——
Nora（asshedances）。Suchfun，Christine!
Helmer。MydeardarlingNora，youaredancingasifyourlifedependedonit。
Nora。Soitdoes。
Helmer。Stop，Rank；thisissheermadness。Stop，Itellyou!
（RANKstopsplaying，andNORAsuddenlystandsstill。HELMERgoesuptoher。）Icouldneverhavebelievedit。YouhaveforgotteneverythingItaughtyou。
Nora（throwingawaythetambourine）。There，yousee。
Helmer。Youwillwantalotofcoaching。
Nora。Yes，youseehowmuchIneedit。Youmustcoachmeuptothelastminute。Promisemethat，Torvald!
Helmer。Youcandependonme。
Nora。Youmustnotthinkofanythingbutme，eithertodayortomorrow；youmustn’topenasingleletter——notevenopentheletter—box——
Helmer。Ah，youarestillafraidofthatfellow——
Nora。Yes，indeedIam。
Helmer。Nora，Icantellfromyourlooksthatthereisaletterfromhimlyingthere。
Nora。Idon’tknow；Ithinkthereis；butyoumustnotreadanythingofthatkindnow。Nothinghorridmustcomebetweenusuntilthisisallover。
Rank（whisperstoHELMER）。Youmustn’tcontradicther。
Helmer（takingherinhisarms）。Thechildshallhaveherway。
Buttomorrownight，afteryouhavedanced——
Nora。Thenyouwillbefree。（TheMAIDappearsinthedoorwaytotheright。）
Maid。Dinnerisserved，ma’am。
Nora。Wewillhavechampagne，Helen。
Maid。Verygood，ma’am。[Exit。
Helmer。Hullo!——arewegoingtohaveabanquet？
Nora。Yes，achampagnebanquetuntilthesmallhours。（Callsout。）
Andafewmacaroons，Helen——lots，justforonce!
Helmer。Come，come，don’tbesowildandnervous。Bemyownlittleskylark，asyouused。
Nora。Yes，dear，Iwill。Butgoinnowandyoutoo，DoctorRank。
Christine，youmusthelpmetodoupmyhair。
Rank（whisperstoHELMERastheygoout）。Isupposethereisnothing——sheisnotexpectinganything？
Helmer。Farfromit，mydearfellow；itissimplynothingmorethanthischildishnervousnessIwastellingyouof。（Theygointotheright—handroom。）
Nora。Well!
Mrs。Linde。Goneoutoftown。
Nora。Icouldtellfromyourface。
Mrs。Linde。Heiscominghometomorrowevening。Iwroteanoteforhim。
Nora。Youshouldhaveletitalone；youmustpreventnothing。
Afterall，itissplendidtobewaitingforawonderfulthingtohappen。
Mrs。Linde。Whatisitthatyouarewaitingfor？
Nora。Oh，youwouldn’tunderstand。Gointothem，Iwillcomeinamoment。（Mrs。LINDEgoesintothedining—room。NORAstandsstillforalittlewhile，asiftocomposeherself。Thenshelooksatherwatch。）Fiveo’clock。Sevenhoursuntilmidnight；andthenfour—and—twentyhoursuntilthenextmidnight。ThentheTarantellawillbeover。Twenty—fourandseven？Thirty—onehourstolive。
Helmer（fromthedoorwayontheright）。Where’smylittleskylark？
Nora（goingtohimwithherarmsoutstretched）。Heresheis!
ACTIII
（THESAMESCENE。——Thetablehasbeenplacedinthemiddleofthestage，withchairsaroundit。Alampisburningonthetable。Thedoorintothehallstandsopen。Dancemusicisheardintheroomabove。Mrs。LINDEissittingatthetableidlyturningovertheleavesofabook；shetriestoread，butdoesnotseemabletocollectherthoughts。Everynowandthenshelistensintentlyforasoundattheouterdoor。）
Mrs。Linde（lookingatherwatch）。Notyet——andthetimeisnearlyup。Ifonlyhedoesnot——。（Listensagain。）Ah，thereheis。
（Goesintothehallandopenstheouterdoorcarefully。
Lightfootstepsareheardonthestairs。Shewhispers。）
Comein。Thereisnoonehere。
Krogstad（inthedoorway）。Ifoundanotefromyouathome。Whatdoesthismean？
Mrs。Linde。ItisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldhaveatalkwithyou。
Krogstad。Really？Andisitabsolutelynecessarythatitshouldbehere？
Mrs。Linde。ItisimpossiblewhereIlive；thereisnoprivateentrancetomyrooms。Comein；wearequitealone。Themaidisasleep，andtheHelmersareatthedanceupstairs。
Krogstad（comingintotheroom）。AretheHelmersreallyatadancetonight？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，whynot？
Krogstad。Certainly——whynot？
Mrs。Linde。Now，Nils，letushaveatalk。
Krogstad。Canwetwohaveanythingtotalkabout？
Mrs。Linde。Wehaveagreatdealtotalkabout。
Krogstad。Ishouldn’thavethoughtso。
Mrs。Linde。No，youhaveneverproperlyunderstoodme。
Krogstad。Wasthereanythingelsetounderstandexceptwhatwasobvioustoalltheworld——aheartlesswomanjiltsamanwhenamorelucrativechanceturnsup？
Mrs。Linde。DoyoubelieveIamasabsolutelyheartlessasallthat？AnddoyoubelievethatIdiditwithalightheart？
Krogstad。Didn’tyou？
Mrs。Linde。Nils，didyoureallythinkthat？
Krogstad。Ifitwereasyousay，whydidyouwritetomeasyoudidatthetime？
Mrs。Linde。Icoulddonothingelse。AsIhadtobreakwithyou，itwasmydutyalsotoputanendtoallthatyoufeltforme。
Krogstad（wringinghishands）。Sothatwasit。Andallthis——onlyforthesakeofmoney!
Mrs。Linde。YoumustnotforgetthatIhadahelplessmotherandtwolittlebrothers。Wecouldn’twaitforyou，Nils；yourprospectsseemedhopelessthen。
Krogstad。Thatmaybeso，butyouhadnorighttothrowmeoverforanyoneelse’ssake。
Mrs。Linde。IndeedIdon’tknow。ManyatimedidIaskmyselfifIhadtherighttodoit。
Krogstad（moregently）。WhenIlostyou，itwasasifallthesolidgroundwentfromundermyfeet。Lookatmenow——Iamashipwreckedmanclingingtoabitofwreckage。
Mrs。Linde。Buthelpmaybenear。
Krogstad。Itwasnear；butthenyoucameandstoodinmyway。
Mrs。Linde。Unintentionally，Nils。ItwasonlytodaythatI
learneditwasyourplaceIwasgoingtotakeintheBank。
Krogstad。Ibelieveyou，ifyousayso。Butnowthatyouknowit，areyounotgoingtogiveituptome？
Mrs。Linde。No，becausethatwouldnotbenefityouintheleast。
Krogstad。Oh，benefit，benefit——Iwouldhavedoneitwhetherorno。
Mrs。Linde。Ihavelearnedtoactprudently。Life，andhard，bitternecessityhavetaughtmethat。
Krogstad。Andlifehastaughtmenottobelieveinfinespeeches。
Mrs。Linde。Thenlifehastaughtyousomethingveryreasonable。
Butdeedsyoumustbelievein？
Krogstad。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
Mrs。Linde。Yousaidyouwerelikeashipwreckedmanclingingtosomewreckage。
Krogstad。Ihadgoodreasontosayso。
Mrs。Linde。Well，Iamlikeashipwreckedwomanclingingtosomewreckage——noonetomournfor，noonetocarefor。
Krogstad。Itwasyourownchoice。
Mrs。Linde。Therewasnootherchoice——then。
Krogstad。Well，whatnow？
Mrs。Linde。Nils，howwoulditbeifwetwoshipwreckedpeoplecouldjoinforces？
Krogstad。Whatareyousaying？
Mrs。Linde。Twoonthesamepieceofwreckagewouldstandabetterchancethaneachontheirown。
Krogstad。ChristineI……
Mrs。Linde。Whatdoyousupposebroughtmetotown？
Krogstad。Doyoumeanthatyougavemeathought？
Mrs。Linde。Icouldnotendurelifewithoutwork。Allmylife，aslongasIcanremember，Ihaveworked，andithasbeenmygreatestandonlypleasure。ButnowIamquitealoneintheworld——mylifeissodreadfullyemptyandIfeelsoforsaken。Thereisnottheleastpleasureinworkingforone’sself。Nils，givemesomeoneandsomethingtoworkfor。
Krogstad。Idon’ttrustthat。Itisnothingbutawoman’soverstrainedsenseofgenerositythatpromptsyoutomakesuchanofferofyourself。
Mrs。Linde。Haveyouevernoticedanythingofthesortinme？
Krogstad。Couldyoureallydoit？Tellme——doyouknowallaboutmypastlife？
Mrs。Linde。Yes。
Krogstad。Anddoyouknowwhattheythinkofmehere？
Mrs。Linde。Youseemedtometoimplythatwithmeyoumighthavebeenquiteanotherman。
Krogstad。Iamcertainofit。
Mrs。Linde。Isittoolatenow？
Krogstad。Christine，areyousayingthisdeliberately？Yes，Iamsureyouare。Iseeitinyourface。Haveyoureallythecourage，then——？
Mrs。Linde。Iwanttobeamothertosomeone，andyourchildrenneedamother。Wetwoneedeachother。Nils，Ihavefaithinyourrealcharacter——Icandareanythingtogetherwithyou。
Krogstad（graspsherhands）。Thanks，thanks，Christine!NowI
shallfindawaytoclearmyselfintheeyesoftheworld。Ah，butIforgot——
Mrs。Linde（listening）。Hush!TheTarantella!Go，go!
Krogstad。Why？Whatisit？
Mrs。Linde。Doyouhearthemupthere？Whenthatisover，wemayexpectthemback。
Krogstad。Yes，yes——Iwillgo。Butitisallnouse。OfcourseyouarenotawarewhatstepsIhavetakeninthematteroftheHelmers。
Mrs。Linde。Yes，Iknowallaboutthat。
Krogstad。Andinspiteofthathaveyouthecourageto——？
Mrs。Linde。Iunderstandverywelltowhatlengthsamanlikeyoumightbedrivenbydespair。
Krogstad。IfIcouldonlyundowhatIhavedone!
Mrs。Linde。Youcannot。Yourletterislyingintheletter—boxnow。
Krogstad。Areyousureofthat？
Mrs。Linde。Quitesure，but——
Krogstad（withasearchinglookather）。Isthatwhatitallmeans？——thatyouwanttosaveyourfriendatanycost？Tellmefrankly。Isthatit？
Mrs。Linde。Nils，awomanwhohasoncesoldherselfforanother’ssake，doesn’tdoitasecondtime。
Krogstad。Iwillaskformyletterback。
Mrs。Linde。No，no。
Krogstad。Yes，ofcourseIwill。IwillwaithereuntilHelmercomes；Iwilltellhimhemustgivememyletterback——thatitonlyconcernsmydismissal——thatheisnottoreadit——
Mrs。Linde。No，Nils，youmustnotrecallyourletter。
Krogstad。But，tellme，wasn’titforthatverypurposethatyouaskedmetomeetyouhere？
Mrs。Linde。Inmyfirstmomentoffright，itwas。Buttwenty—fourhourshaveelapsedsincethen，andinthattimeIhavewitnessedincrediblethingsinthishouse。Helmermustknowallaboutit。
Thisunhappysecretmustbedisclosed；theymusthaveacompleteunderstandingbetweenthem，whichisimpossiblewithallthisconcealmentandfalsehoodgoingon。
Krogstad。Verywell，ifyouwilltaketheresponsibility。ButthereisonethingIcandoinanycase，andIshalldoitatonce。
Mrs。Linde（listening）。Youmustbequickandgo!Thedanceisover；wearenotsafeamomentlonger。
Krogstad。Iwillwaitforyoubelow。
Mrs。Linde。Yes，do。Youmustseemebacktomydoor……
Krogstad。Ihaveneverhadsuchanamazingpieceofgoodfortuneinmylife!（Goesoutthroughtheouterdoor。Thedoorbetweentheroomandthehallremainsopen。）
Mrs。Linde（tidyinguptheroomandlayingherhatandcloakready）。Whatadifference!whatadifference!Someonetoworkforandlivefor——ahometobringcomfortinto。ThatIwilldo，indeed。Iwishtheywouldbequickandcome——（Listens。）Ah，theretheyarenow。Imustputonmythings。（Takesupherhatandcloak。HELMER’SandNORA’Svoicesareheardoutside；akeyisturned，andHELMERbringsNORAalmostbyforceintothehall。SheisinanItaliancostumewithalargeblackshawlaroundher；heisineveningdress，andablackdominowhichisflyingopen。）
Nora（hangingbackinthedoorway，andstrugglingwithhim）。No，no，no!——don’ttakemein。Iwanttogoupstairsagain；Idon’twanttoleavesoearly。
Helmer。But，mydearestNora——
Nora。Please，Torvalddear——please，please——onlyanhourmore。
Helmer。Notasingleminute，mysweetNora。Youknowthatwasouragreement。Comealongintotheroom；youarecatchingcoldstandingthere。（Hebringshergentlyintotheroom，inspiteofherresistance。）
Mrs。Linde。Goodevening。
Nora。Christine!
Helmer。Youhere，solate，Mrs。Linde？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，youmustexcuseme；IwassoanxioustoseeNorainherdress。
Nora。Haveyoubeensittingherewaitingforme？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，unfortunatelyIcametoolate，youhadalreadygoneupstairs；andIthoughtIcouldn’tgoawayagainwithouthavingseenyou。
Helmer（takingoffNORA’Sshawl）。Yes，takeagoodlookather。I
thinksheisworthlookingat。Isn’tshecharming，Mrs。Linde？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，indeedsheis。
Helmer。Doesn’tshelookremarkablypretty？Everyonethoughtsoatthedance。Butsheisterriblyself—willed，thissweetlittleperson。Whatarewetodowithher？YouwillhardlybelievethatIhadalmosttobringherawaybyforce。
Nora。Torvald，youwillrepentnothavingletmestay，evenifitwereonlyforhalfanhour。
Helmer。Listentoher，Mrs。Linde!ShehaddancedherTarantella，andithadbeenatremendoussuccess，asitdeserved——althoughpossiblytheperformancewasatrifletoorealistic——alittlemoreso，Imean，thanwasstrictlycompatiblewiththelimitationsofart。Butnevermindaboutthat!Thechiefthingis，shehadmadeasuccess——shehadmadeatremendoussuccess。DoyouthinkIwasgoingtoletherremainthereafterthat，andspoiltheeffect？No，indeed!
ItookmycharminglittleCaprimaiden——mycapriciouslittleCaprimaiden，Ishouldsay——onmyarm；tookonequickturnroundtheroom；acurtseyoneitherside，and，astheysayinnovels，thebeautifulapparitiondisappeared。Anexitoughtalwaystobeeffective，Mrs。Linde；butthatiswhatIcannotmakeNoraunderstand。Pooh!thisroomishot。（Throwshisdominoonachair，andopensthedoorofhisroom。）Hullo!it’salldarkinhere。Oh，ofcourse——excuseme——。（Hegoesin，andlightssomecandles。）
Nora（inahurriedandbreathlesswhisper）。Well？
Mrs。Linde（inalowvoice）。Ihavehadatalkwithhim。
Nora。Yes，and——
Mrs。Linde。Nora，youmusttellyourhusbandallaboutit。
Nora（inanexpressionlessvoice）。Iknewit。
Mrs。Linde。YouhavenothingtobeafraidofasfarasKrogstadisconcerned；butyoumusttellhim。
Nora。Iwon’ttellhim。
Mrs。Linde。Thentheletterwill。
Nora。Thankyou，Christine。NowIknowwhatImustdo。Hush——!
Helmer（cominginagain）。Well，Mrs。Linde，haveyouadmiredher？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，andnowIwillsaygoodnight。
Helmer。What，already？Isthisyours，thisknitting？
Mrs。Linde（takingit）。Yes，thankyou，Ihadverynearlyforgottenit。
Helmer。Soyouknit？
Mrs。Linde。Ofcourse。
Helmer。Doyouknow，yououghttoembroider。
Mrs。Linde。Really？Why？
Helmer。Yes，it’sfarmorebecoming。Letmeshowyou。Youholdtheembroiderythusinyourlefthand，andusetheneedlewiththeright——likethis——withalong，easysweep。Doyousee？
Mrs。Linde。Yes，perhaps——
Helmer。Butinthecaseofknitting——thatcanneverbeanythingbutungraceful；lookhere——thearmsclosetogether，theknitting—
needlesgoingupanddown——ithasasortofChineseeffect——。
Thatwasreallyexcellentchampagnetheygaveus。
Mrs。Linde。Well，——goodnight，Nora，anddon’tbeself—willedanymore。
Helmer。That’sright，Mrs。Linde。
Mrs。Linde。Goodnight，Mr。Helmer。
Helmer（accompanyinghertothedoor）。Goodnight，goodnight。I
hopeyouwillgethomeallright。Ishouldbeveryhappyto——butyouhaven’tanygreatdistancetogo。Goodnight，goodnight。
（Shegoesout；heshutsthedoorafterher，andcomesinagain。）
Ah!——atlastwehavegotridofher。Sheisafrightfulbore，thatwoman。
Nora。Aren’tyouverytired，Torvald？
Helmer。No，notintheleast。
Nora。Norsleepy？
Helmer。Notabit。Onthecontrary，Ifeelextraordinarilylively。
Andyou？——youreallylookbothtiredandsleepy。
Nora。Yes，Iamverytired。Iwanttogotosleepatonce。
Helmer。There，youseeitwasquiterightofmenottoletyoustaythereanylonger。
Nora。Everythingyoudoisquiteright，Torvald。
Helmer（kissingherontheforehead）。Nowmylittleskylarkisspeakingreasonably。DidyounoticewhatgoodspiritsRankwasinthisevening？
Nora。Really？Washe？Ididn’tspeaktohimatall。
Helmer。AndIverylittle，butIhavenotforalongtimeseenhiminsuchgoodform。（Looksforawhileatherandthengoesnearertoher。）Itisdelightfultobeathomebyourselvesagain，tobeallalonewithyou——youfascinating，charminglittledarling!
Nora。Don’tlookatmelikethat，Torvald。
Helmer。Whyshouldn’tIlookatmydearesttreasure？——atallthebeautythatismine，allmyveryown？
Nora（goingtotheothersideofthetable）。Youmustn’tsaythingslikethattometonight。
Helmer（followingher）。YouhavestillgottheTarantellainyourblood，Isee。Anditmakesyoumorecaptivatingthanever。
Listen——theguestsarebeginningtogonow。（Inalowervoice。）
Nora——soonthewholehousewillbequiet。
Nora。Yes，Ihopeso。
Helmer。Yes，myowndarlingNora。Doyouknow，whenIamoutatapartywithyoulikethis，whyIspeaksolittletoyou，keepawayfromyou，andonlysendastolenglanceinyourdirectionnowandthen？——doyouknowwhyIdothat？ItisbecauseImakebelievetomyselfthatwearesecretlyinlove，andyouaremysecretlypromisedbride，andthatnoonesuspectsthereisanythingbetweenus。
Nora。Yes，yes——Iknowverywellyourthoughtsarewithmeallthetime。
Helmer。Andwhenweareleaving，andIamputtingtheshawloveryourbeautifulyoungshoulders——onyourlovelyneck——thenIimaginethatyouaremyyoungbrideandthatwehavejustcomefromthewedding，andIambringingyouforthefirsttimeintoourhome——tobealonewithyouforthefirsttime——quitealonewithmyshylittledarling!AllthiseveningIhavelongedfornothingbutyou。WhenIwatchedtheseductivefiguresoftheTarantella，mybloodwasonfire；Icouldendureitnolonger，andthatwaswhyIbroughtyoudownsoearly——
Nora。Goaway，Torvald!Youmustletmego。Iwon’t——
Helmer。What’sthat？You’rejoking，mylittleNora!Youwon’t——
youwon’t？AmInotyourhusband——？（Aknockisheardattheouterdoor。）
Nora（starting）。Didyouhear——？
Helmer（goingintothehall）。Whoisit？
Rank（outside）。ItisI。MayIcomeinforamoment？
Helmer（inafretfulwhisper）。Oh，whatdoeshewantnow？
（Aloud。）Waitaminute!（Unlocksthedoor。）Come，that’skindofyounottopassbyourdoor。
Rank。IthoughtIheardyourvoice，andfeltasifIshouldliketolookin。（Withaswiftglanceround。）Ah，yes!——thesedearfamiliarrooms。Youareveryhappyandcosyinhere，youtwo。
Helmer。Itseemstomethatyoulookedafteryourselfprettywellupstairstoo。
Rank。Excellently。Whyshouldn’tI？Whyshouldn’toneenjoyeverythinginthisworld？——atanyrateasmuchasonecan，andaslongasonecan。Thewinewascapital——
Helmer。Especiallythechampagne。
Rank。Soyounoticedthattoo？ItisalmostincrediblehowmuchI
managedtoputaway!
Nora。Torvalddrankagreatdealofchampagnetonighttoo。
Rank。Didhe？
Nora。Yes，andheisalwaysinsuchgoodspiritsafterwards。
Rank。Well，whyshouldonenotenjoyamerryeveningafterawell—spentday？
Helmer。Wellspent？IamafraidIcan’ttakecreditforthat。
Rank（clappinghimontheback）。ButIcan，youknow!
Nora。DoctorRank，youmusthavebeenoccupiedwithsomescientificinvestigationtoday。
Rank。Exactly。
Helmer。Justlisten!——littleNoratalkingaboutscientificinvestigations!
Nora。AndmayIcongratulateyouontheresult？
Rank。Indeedyoumay。
Nora。Wasitfavourable，then？
Rank。Thebestpossible，forbothdoctorandpatient——certainty。
Nora（quicklyandsearchingly）。Certainty？
Rank。Absolutecertainty。Sowasn’tIentitledtomakeamerryeveningofitafterthat？
Nora。Yes，youcertainlywere，DoctorRank。Helmer。Ithinksotoo，solongasyoudon’thavetopayforitinthemorning。
Rank。Ohwell，onecan’thaveanythinginthislifewithoutpayingforit。
Nora。DoctorRank——areyoufondoffancy—dressballs？
Rank。Yes，ifthereisafinelotofprettycostumes。
Nora。Tellme——whatshallwetwowearatthenext？
Helmer。Littlefeatherbrain!——areyouthinkingofthenextalready？
Rank。Wetwo？Yes，Icantellyou。Youshallgoasagoodfairy——
Helmer。Yes，butwhatdoyousuggestasanappropriatecostumeforthat？
Rank。Letyourwifegodressedjustassheisineverydaylife。
Helmer。Thatwasreallyveryprettilyturned。Butcan’tyoutelluswhatyouwillbe？
Rank。Yes，mydearfriend，Ihavequitemadeupmymindaboutthat。
Helmer。Well？
Rank。Atthenextfancy—dressballIshallbeinvisible。
Helmer。That’sagoodjoke!
Rank。Thereisabigblackhat——haveyouneverheardofhatsthatmakeyouinvisible？Ifyouputoneon，noonecanseeyou。
Helmer（suppressingasmile）。Yes，youarequiteright。
Rank。ButIamcleanforgettingwhatIcamefor。Helmer，givemeacigar——oneofthedarkHavanas。
Helmer。Withthegreatestpleasure。（Offershimhiscase。）
Rank（takesacigarandcutsofftheend）。Thanks。
Nora（strikingamatch）。Letmegiveyoualight。
Rank。Thankyou。（Sheholdsthematchforhimtolighthiscigar。）Andnowgoodbye!
Helmer。Goodbye，goodbye，dearoldman!
Nora。Sleepwell，DoctorRank。
Rank。Thankyouforthatwish。
Nora。Wishmethesame。
Rank。You？Well，ifyouwantmetosleepwell!Andthanksforthelight。（Henodstothembothandgoesout。）
Helmer（inasubduedvoice）。Hehasdrunkmorethanheought。
Nora（absently）。Maybe。（HELMERtakesabunchofkeysoutofhispocketandgoesintothehall。）Torvald!whatareyougoingtodothere？
Helmer。Emptyingtheletter—box；itisquitefull；therewillbenoroomtoputthenewspaperintomorrowmorning。
Nora。Areyougoingtoworktonight？
Helmer。YouknowquitewellI’mnot。Whatisthis？Someonehasbeenatthelock。
Nora。Atthelock——？
Helmer。Yes，someonehas。Whatcanitmean？Ishouldneverhavethoughtthemaid——。Hereisabrokenhairpin。Nora，itisoneofyours。
Nora（quickly）。Thenitmusthavebeenthechildren——
Helmer。Thenyoumustgetthemoutofthoseways。There，atlastIhavegotitopen。（Takesoutthecontentsoftheletter—box，andcallstothekitchen。）Helen!——Helen，putoutthelightoverthefrontdoor。（Goesbackintotheroomandshutsthedoorintothehall。Heholdsouthishandfullofletters。）Lookatthat——
lookwhataheapofthemthereare。（Turningthemover。）Whatonearthisthat？
Nora（atthewindow）。Theletter——No!Torvald，no!
Helmer。Twocards——ofRank’s。
Nora。OfDoctorRank’s？
Helmer（lookingatthem）。DoctorRank。Theywereonthetop。Hemusthaveputtheminwhenhewentout。
Nora。Isthereanythingwrittenonthem？
Helmer。Thereisablackcrossoverthename。Lookthere——whatanuncomfortableidea!Itlooksasifhewereannouncinghisowndeath。
Nora。Itisjustwhatheisdoing。
Helmer。What？Doyouknowanythingaboutit？Hashesaidanythingtoyou？
Nora。Yes。Hetoldmethatwhenthecardscameitwouldbehisleave—takingfromus。Hemeanstoshuthimselfupanddie。
Helmer。Mypooroldfriend!CertainlyIknewweshouldnothavehimverylongwithus。Butsosoon!Andsohehideshimselfawaylikeawoundedanimal。
Nora。Ifithastohappen，itisbestitshouldbewithoutaword——don’tyouthinkso，Torvald？
Helmer（walkingupanddown）。Hehadsogrownintoourlives。I
can’tthinkofhimashavinggoneoutofthem。He，withhissufferingsandhisloneliness，waslikeacloudybackgroundtooursunlithappiness。Well，perhapsitisbestso。Forhim，anyway。（Standingstill。）Andperhapsforustoo，Nora。Wetwoarethrownquiteuponeachothernow。（Putshisarmsroundher。）Mydarlingwife，Idon’tfeelasifIcouldholdyoutightenough。Doyouknow，Nora，Ihaveoftenwishedthatyoumightbethreatenedbysomegreatdanger，sothatImightriskmylife’sblood，andeverything，foryoursake。
Nora（disengagesherself，andsaysfirmlyanddecidedly）。Nowyoumustreadyourletters，Torvald。
Helmer。No，no；nottonight。Iwanttobewithyou，mydarlingwife。
Nora。Withthethoughtofyourfriend’sdeath——
Helmer。Youareright，ithasaffectedusboth。Somethinguglyhascomebetweenus——thethoughtofthehorrorsofdeath。
Wemusttryandridourmindsofthat。Untilthen——wewilleachgotoourownroom。
Nora（hangingonhisneck）。Goodnight，Torvald——Goodnight!
Helmer（kissingherontheforehead）。Goodnight，mylittlesinging—bird。Sleepsound，Nora。NowIwillreadmylettersthrough。（Hetakeshislettersandgoesintohisroom，shuttingthedoorafterhim。）
Nora（gropesdistractedlyabout，seizesHELMER’Sdomino，throwsitroundher，whileshesaysinquick，hoarse，spasmodicwhispers）。Nevertoseehimagain。Never!Never!（Putshershawloverherhead。）Nevertoseemychildrenagaineither——neveragain。Never!Never!——Ah!theicy，blackwater——theunfathomabledepths——Ifonlyitwereover!Hehasgotitnow——nowheisreadingit。Goodbye，Torvaldandmychildren!（Sheisabouttorushoutthroughthehall，whenHELMERopenshisdoorhurriedlyandstandswithanopenletterinhishand。）
Helmer。Nora!
Nora。Ah!——Helmer。Whatisthis？Doyouknowwhatisinthisletter？
Nora。Yes，Iknow。Letmego!Letmegetout!
Helmer（holdingherback）。Whereareyougoing？
Nora（tryingtogetfree）。Youshan’tsaveme，Torvald!
Helmer（reeling）。True？Isthistrue，thatIreadhere？Horrible!
No，no——itisimpossiblethatitcanbetrue。
Nora。Itistrue。Ihavelovedyouaboveeverythingelseintheworld。
Helmer。Oh，don’tletushaveanysillyexcuses。
Nora（takingasteptowardshim）。Torvald——!
Helmer。Miserablecreature——whathaveyoudone？
Nora。Letmego。Youshallnotsufferformysake。Youshallnottakeituponyourself。
Helmer。Notragicairs，please。（Locksthehalldoor。）Hereyoushallstayandgivemeanexplanation。Doyouunderstandwhatyouhavedone？Answerme!Doyouunderstandwhatyouhavedone？
Nora（lookssteadilyathimandsayswithagrowinglookofcoldnessinherface）。Yes，nowIambeginningtounderstandthoroughly。
Helmer（walkingabouttheroom）。Whatahorribleawakening!Alltheseeightyears——shewhowasmyjoyandpride——ahypocrite，aliar——worse，worse——acriminal!Theunutterableuglinessofitall!——Forshame!Forshame!（NORAissilentandlookssteadilyathim。Hestopsinfrontofher。）Ioughttohavesuspectedthatsomethingofthesortwouldhappen。Ioughttohaveforeseenit。
Allyourfather’swantofprinciple——besilent!——allyourfather’swantofprinciplehascomeoutinyou。Noreligion，nomorality，nosenseofduty——。HowIampunishedforhavingwinkedatwhathedid!
Ididitforyoursake，andthisishowyourepayme。
Nora。Yes，that’sjustit。
Helmer。Nowyouhavedestroyedallmyhappiness。Youhaveruinedallmyfuture。Itishorribletothinkof!Iaminthepowerofanunscrupulousman；hecandowhathelikeswithme，askanythinghelikesofme，givemeanyordershepleases——Idarenotrefuse。
AndImustsinktosuchmiserabledepthsbecauseofathoughtlesswoman!
Nora。WhenIamoutoftheway，youwillbefree。
Helmer。Nofinespeeches，please。Yourfatherhadalwaysplentyofthoseready，too。Whatgoodwoulditbetomeifyouwereoutoftheway，asyousay？Nottheslightest。Hecanmaketheaffairknowneverywhere；andifhedoes，Imaybefalselysuspectedofhavingbeenapartytoyourcriminalaction。VerylikelypeoplewillthinkIwasbehinditall——thatitwasIwhopromptedyou!
AndIhavetothankyouforallthis——youwhomIhavecherishedduringthewholeofourmarriedlife。Doyouunderstandnowwhatitisyouhavedoneforme？
Nora（coldlyandquietly）。Yes。
Helmer。ItissoincrediblethatIcan’ttakeitin。Butwemustcometosomeunderstanding。Takeoffthatshawl。Takeitoff，I
tellyou。Imusttryandappeasehimsomewayoranother。Themattermustbehushedupatanycost。Andasforyouandme，itmustappearasifeverythingbetweenuswerejustasbefore——butnaturallyonlyintheeyesoftheworld。Youwillstillremaininmyhouse，thatisamatterofcourse。ButIshallnotallowyoutobringupthechildren；Idarenottrustthemtoyou。TothinkthatIshouldbeobligedtosaysotoonewhomIhavelovedsodearly，andwhomIstill——。No，thatisallover。Fromthismomenthappinessisnotthequestion；allthatconcernsusistosavetheremains，thefragments，theappearance——
（Aringisheardatthefront—doorbell。）
Helmer（withastart）。Whatisthat？Solate!Cantheworst——？
Canhe——？Hideyourself，Nora。Sayyouareill。
（NORAstandsmotionless。HELMERgoesandunlocksthehalldoor。）
Maid（half—dressed，comestothedoor）。Aletterforthemistress。
Helmer。Giveittome。（Takestheletter，andshutsthedoor。）
Yes，itisfromhim。Youshallnothaveit；Iwillreaditmyself。
Nora。Yes，readit。
Helmer（standingbythelamp）。Iscarcelyhavethecouragetodoit。Itmaymeanruinforbothofus。No，Imustknow。（Tearsopentheletter，runshiseyeoverafewlines，looksatapaperenclosed，andgivesashoutofjoy。）Nora!（Shelooksathimquestioningly。）Nora!——No，Imustreaditonceagain——。Yes，itistrue!Iamsaved!Nora，Iamsaved!
Nora。AndI？
Helmer。Youtoo，ofcourse；wearebothsaved，bothyouandI。
Look，hesendsyouyourbondback。Hesaysheregretsandrepents——
thatahappychangeinhislife——nevermindwhathesays!Wearesaved，Nora!Noonecandoanythingtoyou。Oh，Nora，Nora!——no，firstImustdestroythesehatefulthings。Letmesee——。（Takesalookatthebond。）No，no，Iwon’tlookatit。Thewholethingshallbenothingbutabaddreamtome。（Tearsupthebondandbothletters，throwsthemallintothestove，andwatchesthemburn。）There——nowitdoesn’texistanylonger。HesaysthatsinceChristmasEveyou——。
Thesemusthavebeenthreedreadfuldaysforyou，Nora。
Nora。Ihavefoughtahardfightthesethreedays。
Helmer。Andsufferedagonies，andseennowayoutbut——。No，wewon’tcallanyofthehorrorstomind。Wewillonlyshoutwithjoy，andkeepsaying，\"It’sallover!It’sallover!\"Listentome，Nora。Youdon’tseemtorealisethatitisallover。Whatisthis？——suchacold，setface!MypoorlittleNora，Iquiteunderstand；youdon’tfeelasifyoucouldbelievethatIhaveforgivenyou。Butitistrue，Nora，Iswearit；Ihaveforgivenyoueverything。Iknowthatwhatyoudid，youdidoutofloveforme。
Nora。Thatistrue。
Helmer。Youhavelovedmeasawifeoughttoloveherhusband。Onlyyouhadnotsufficientknowledgetojudgeofthemeansyouused。Butdoyousupposeyouareanythelessdeartome，becauseyoudon’tunderstandhowtoactonyourownresponsibility？No，no；onlyleanonme；Iwilladviseyouanddirectyou。Ishouldnotbeamanifthiswomanlyhelplessnessdidnotjustgiveyouadoubleattractivenessinmyeyes。YoumustnotthinkanymoreaboutthehardthingsIsaidinmyfirstmomentofconsternation，whenIthoughteverythingwasgoingtooverwhelmme。Ihaveforgivenyou，Nora；IsweartoyouIhaveforgivenyou。
Nora。Thankyouforyourforgiveness。（Shegoesoutthroughthedoortotheright。）
Helmer。No，don’tgo——。（Looksin。）Whatareyoudoinginthere？
Nora（fromwithin）。Takingoffmyfancydress。
Helmer（standingattheopendoor）。Yes，do。Tryandcalmyourself，andmakeyourmindeasyagain，myfrightenedlittlesinging—bird。Beatrest，andfeelsecure；Ihavebroadwingstoshelteryouunder。
（Walksupanddownbythedoor。）Howwarmandcosyourhomeis，Nora。Hereisshelterforyou；hereIwillprotectyoulikeahunteddovethatIhavesavedfromahawk’sclaws；Iwillbringpeacetoyourpoorbeatingheart。Itwillcome，littlebylittle，Nora，believeme。Tomorrowmorningyouwilllookuponitallquitedifferently；sooneverythingwillbejustasitwasbefore。
Verysoonyouwon’tneedmetoassureyouthatIhaveforgivenyou；youwillyourselffeelthecertaintythatIhavedoneso。
CanyousupposeIshouldeverthinkofsuchathingasrepudiatingyou，orevenreproachingyou？Youhavenoideawhatatrueman’sheartislike，Nora。Thereissomethingsoindescribablysweetandsatisfying，toaman，intheknowledgethathehasforgivenhiswife——forgivenherfreely，andwithallhisheart。Itseemsasifthathadmadeher，asitwere，doublyhisown；hehasgivenheranewlife，sotospeak；andshehasinawaybecomebothwifeandchildtohim。Soyoushallbeformeafterthis，mylittlescared，helplessdarling。Havenoanxietyaboutanything，Nora；onlybefrankandopenwithme，andIwillserveaswillandconsciencebothtoyou——。Whatisthis？Notgonetobed？Haveyouchangedyourthings？
Nora（ineverydaydress）。Yes，Torvald，Ihavechangedmythingsnow。
Helmer。Butwhatfor？——solateasthis。
Nora。Ishallnotsleeptonight。
Helmer。But，mydearNora——
Nora（lookingatherwatch）。Itisnotsoverylate。Sitdownhere，Torvald。YouandIhavemuchtosaytooneanother。（Shesitsdownatonesideofthetable。）
Helmer。Nora——whatisthis？——thiscold，setface？Nora。Sitdown。
Itwilltakesometime；Ihavealottotalkoverwithyou。
Helmer（sitsdownattheoppositesideofthetable）。Youalarmme，Nora!——andIdon’tunderstandyou。
Nora。No，thatisjustit。Youdon’tunderstandme，andIhaveneverunderstoodyoueither——beforetonight。No，youmustn’tinterruptme。YoumustsimplylistentowhatIsay。Torvald，thisisasettlingofaccounts。
Helmer。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
Nora（afterashortsilence）。Isn’tthereonethingthatstrikesyouasstrangeinoursittingherelikethis？
Helmer。Whatisthat？
Nora。Wehavebeenmarriednoweightyears。Doesitnotoccurtoyouthatthisisthefirsttimewetwo，youandI，husbandandwife，havehadaseriousconversation？
Helmer。Whatdoyoumeanbyserious？
Nora。Inalltheseeightyears——longerthanthat——fromtheverybeginningofouracquaintance，wehaveneverexchangedawordonanyserioussubject。
Helmer。WasitlikelythatIwouldbecontinuallyandforevertellingyouaboutworriesthatyoucouldnothelpmetobear？
Nora。Iamnotspeakingaboutbusinessmatters。Isaythatwehaveneversatdowninearnesttogethertotryandgetatthebottomofanything。
Helmer。But，dearestNora，wouldithavebeenanygoodtoyou？
Nora。Thatisjustit；youhaveneverunderstoodme。Ihavebeengreatlywronged，Torvald——firstbypapaandthenbyyou。
Helmer。What!Byustwo——byustwo，whohavelovedyoubetterthananyoneelseintheworld？
Nora（shakingherhead）。Youhaveneverlovedme。Youhaveonlythoughtitpleasanttobeinlovewithme。
Helmer。Nora，whatdoIhearyousaying？
Nora。Itisperfectlytrue，Torvald。WhenIwasathomewithpapa，hetoldmehisopinionabouteverything，andsoI
hadthesameopinions；andifIdifferedfromhimI
concealedthefact，becausehewouldnothavelikedit。
Hecalledmehisdoll—child，andheplayedwithmejustasIusedtoplaywithmydolls。AndwhenIcametolivewithyou——
Helmer。Whatsortofanexpressionisthattouseaboutourmarriage？
Nora（undisturbed）。ImeanthatIwassimplytransferredfrompapa’shandsintoyours。Youarrangedeverythingaccordingtoyourowntaste，andsoIgotthesametastesasyourelseI
pretendedto，Iamreallynotquitesurewhich——Ithinksometimestheoneandsometimestheother。WhenIlookbackonit，itseemstomeasifIhadbeenlivingherelikeapoorwoman——justfromhandtomouth。Ihaveexistedmerelytoperformtricksforyou，Torvald。Butyouwouldhaveitso。Youandpapahavecommittedagreatsinagainstme。
ItisyourfaultthatIhavemadenothingofmylife。
Helmer。Howunreasonableandhowungratefulyouare，Nora!Haveyounotbeenhappyhere？
Nora。No，Ihaveneverbeenhappy。IthoughtIwas，butithasneverreallybeenso。
Helmer。Not——nothappy!
Nora。No，onlymerry。Andyouhavealwaysbeensokindtome。
Butourhomehasbeennothingbutaplayroom。Ihavebeenyourdoll—wife，justasathomeIwaspapa’sdoll—child；andherethechildrenhavebeenmydolls。Ithoughtitgreatfunwhenyouplayedwithme，justastheythoughtitgreatfunwhenIplayedwiththem。Thatiswhatourmarriagehasbeen，Torvald。
Helmer。Thereissometruthinwhatyousay——exaggeratedandstrainedasyourviewofitis。Butforthefutureitshallbedifferent。Playtimeshallbeover，andlesson—timeshallbegin。
Nora。Whoselessons？Mine，orthechildren’s？
Helmer。Bothyoursandthechildren’s，mydarlingNora。
Nora。Alas，Torvald，youarenotthemantoeducatemeintobeingaproperwifeforyou。
Helmer。Andyoucansaythat!
Nora。AndI——howamIfittedtobringupthechildren？
Helmer。Nora!
Nora。Didn’tyousaysoyourselfalittlewhileago——thatyoudarenottrustmetobringthemup？
Helmer。Inamomentofanger!Whydoyoupayanyheedtothat？
Nora。Indeed，youwereperfectlyright。Iamnotfitforthetask。ThereisanothertaskImustundertakefirst。Imusttryandeducatemyself——youarenotthemantohelpmeinthat。Imustdothatformyself。AndthatiswhyIamgoingtoleaveyounow。
Helmer（springingup）。Whatdoyousay？
Nora。Imuststandquitealone，ifIamtounderstandmyselfandeverythingaboutme。ItisforthatreasonthatIcannotremainwithyouanylonger。
Helmer。Nora，Nora!
Nora。Iamgoingawayfromherenow，atonce。IamsureChristinewilltakemeinforthenight——
Helmer。Youareoutofyourmind!Iwon’tallowit!Iforbidyou!
Nora。Itisnouseforbiddingmeanythinganylonger。Iwilltakewithmewhatbelongstomyself。Iwilltakenothingfromyou，eithernoworlater。
Helmer。Whatsortofmadnessisthis!
Nora。TomorrowIshallgohome——Imean，tomyoldhome。Itwillbeeasiestformetofindsomethingtodothere。
Helmer。Youblind，foolishwoman!
Nora。Imusttryandgetsomesense，Torvald。
Helmer。Todesertyourhome，yourhusbandandyourchildren!Andyoudon’tconsiderwhatpeoplewillsay!
Nora。Icannotconsiderthatatall。Ionlyknowthatitisnecessaryforme。
Helmer。It’sshocking。Thisishowyouwouldneglectyourmostsacredduties。
Nora。Whatdoyouconsidermymostsacredduties？
Helmer。DoIneedtotellyouthat？Aretheynotyourdutiestoyourhusbandandyourchildren？
Nora。Ihaveotherdutiesjustassacred。
Helmer。Thatyouhavenot。Whatdutiescouldthosebe？
Nora。Dutiestomyself。
Helmer。Beforeallelse，youareawifeandamother。
Nora。Idon’tbelievethatanylonger。IbelievethatbeforeallelseIamareasonablehumanbeing，justasyouare——or，atallevents，thatImusttryandbecomeone。Iknowquitewell，Torvald，thatmostpeoplewouldthinkyouright，andthatviewsofthatkindaretobefoundinbooks；butIcannolongercontentmyselfwithwhatmostpeoplesay，orwithwhatisfoundinbooks。Imustthinkoverthingsformyselfandgettounderstandthem。
Helmer。Canyounotunderstandyourplaceinyourownhome？
Haveyounotareliableguideinsuchmattersasthat？——haveyounoreligion？
Nora。Iamafraid，Torvald，Idonotexactlyknowwhatreligionis。
Helmer。Whatareyousaying？
Nora。Iknownothingbutwhattheclergymansaid，whenIwenttobeconfirmed。Hetoldusthatreligionwasthis，andthat，andtheother。WhenIamawayfromallthis，andamalone，Iwilllookintothatmattertoo。Iwillseeifwhattheclergymansaidistrue，oratalleventsifitistrueforme。
Helmer。Thisisunheardofinagirlofyourage!Butifreligioncannotleadyouaright，letmetryandawakenyourconscience。I
supposeyouhavesomemoralsense？Or——answerme——amItothinkyouhavenone？
Nora。Iassureyou，Torvald，thatisnotaneasyquestiontoanswer。
Ireallydon’tknow。Thethingperplexesmealtogether。IonlyknowthatyouandIlookatitinquiteadifferentlight。
Iamlearning，too，thatthelawisquiteanotherthingfromwhatIsupposed；butIfinditimpossibletoconvincemyselfthatthelawisright。Accordingtoitawomanhasnorighttospareherolddyingfather，ortosaveherhusband’slife。Ican’tbelievethat。
Helmer。Youtalklikeachild。Youdon’tunderstandtheconditionsoftheworldinwhichyoulive。
Nora。No，Idon’t。ButnowIamgoingtotry。IamgoingtoseeifIcanmakeoutwhoisright，theworldorI。
Helmer。Youareill，Nora；youaredelirious；Ialmostthinkyouareoutofyourmind。
Nora。Ihaveneverfeltmymindsoclearandcertainastonight。
Helmer。Andisitwithaclearandcertainmindthatyouforsakeyourhusbandandyourchildren？
Nora。Yes，itis。
Helmer。Thenthereisonlyonepossibleexplanation。
Nora。Whatisthat？
Helmer。Youdonotlovemeanymore。
Nora。No，thatisjustit。
Helmer。Nora!——andyoucansaythat？
Nora。Itgivesmegreatpain，Torvald，foryouhavealwaysbeensokindtome，butIcannothelpit。Idonotloveyouanymore。
Helmer（regaininghiscomposure）。Isthataclearandcertainconvictiontoo？
Nora。Yes，absolutelyclearandcertain。ThatisthereasonwhyI
willnotstayhereanylonger。
Helmer。AndcanyoutellmewhatIhavedonetoforfeityourlove？
Nora。Yes，indeedIcan。Itwastonight，whenthewonderfulthingdidnothappen；thenIsawyouwerenotthemanIhadthoughtyouwere。
Helmer。Explainyourselfbetter。Idon’tunderstandyou。
Nora。Ihavewaitedsopatientlyforeightyears；for，goodnessknows，Iknewverywellthatwonderfulthingsdon’thappeneveryday。Thenthishorriblemisfortunecameuponme；andthenIfeltquitecertainthatthewonderfulthingwasgoingtohappenatlast。
WhenKrogstad’sletterwaslyingoutthere，neverforamomentdidIimaginethatyouwouldconsenttoacceptthisman’sconditions。Iwassoabsolutelycertainthatyouwouldsaytohim：Publishthethingtothewholeworld。Andwhenthatwasdone——
Helmer。Yes，whatthen？——whenIhadexposedmywifetoshameanddisgrace？
Nora。Whenthatwasdone，Iwassoabsolutelycertain，youwouldcomeforwardandtakeeverythinguponyourself，andsay：Iamtheguiltyone。
Helmer。Nora——!
Nora。YoumeanthatIwouldneverhaveacceptedsuchasacrificeonyourpart？No，ofcoursenot。Butwhatwouldmyassuranceshavebeenworthagainstyours？ThatwasthewonderfulthingwhichI
hopedforandfeared；anditwastopreventthat，thatIwantedtokillmyself。
Helmer。Iwouldgladlyworknightanddayforyou，Nora——bearsorrowandwantforyoursake。Butnomanwouldsacrificehishonourfortheoneheloves。
Nora。Itisathinghundredsofthousandsofwomenhavedone。
Helmer。Oh，youthinkandtalklikeaheedlesschild。
Nora。Maybe。ButyouneitherthinknortalklikethemanI
couldbindmyselfto。Assoonasyourfearwasover——anditwasnotfearforwhatthreatenedme，butforwhatmighthappentoyou——whenthewholethingwaspast，asfarasyouwereconcerneditwasexactlyasifnothingatallhadhappened。
Exactlyasbefore，Iwasyourlittleskylark，yourdoll，whichyouwouldinfuturetreatwithdoublygentlecare，becauseitwassobrittleandfragile。（Gettingup。）
Torvald——itwasthenitdawneduponmethatforeightyearsIhadbeenlivingherewithastrangeman，andhadbornehimthreechildren——。Oh，Ican’tbeartothinkofit!Icouldtearmyselfintolittlebits!
Helmer（sadly）。Isee，Isee。Anabysshasopenedbetweenus——thereisnodenyingit。But，Nora，woulditnotbepossibletofillitup？
Nora。AsIamnow，Iamnowifeforyou。
Helmer。Ihaveitinmetobecomeadifferentman。
Nora。Perhaps——ifyourdollistakenawayfromyou。
Helmer。Buttopart!——topartfromyou!No，no，Nora，Ican’tunderstandthatidea。
Nora（goingouttotheright）。Thatmakesitallthemorecertainthatitmustbedone。（Shecomesbackwithhercloakandhatandasmallbagwhichsheputsonachairbythetable。）
Helmer。Nora，Nora，notnow!Waituntiltomorrow。
Nora（puttingonhercloak）。Icannotspendthenightinastrangeman’sroom。
Helmer。Butcan’tweliveherelikebrotherandsister——？
Nora（puttingonherhat）。Youknowverywellthatwouldnotlastlong。（Putstheshawlroundher。）Goodbye，Torvald。Iwon’tseethelittleones。Iknowtheyareinbetterhandsthanmine。AsIamnow，Icanbeofnousetothem。
Helmer。Butsomeday，Nora——someday？
Nora。HowcanItell？Ihavenoideawhatisgoingtobecomeofme。
Helmer。Butyouaremywife，whateverbecomesofyou。
Nora。Listen，Torvald。Ihaveheardthatwhenawifedesertsherhusband’shouse，asIamdoingnow，heislegallyfreedfromallobligationstowardsher。Inanycase，Isetyoufreefromallyourobligations。Youarenottofeelyourselfboundintheslightestway，anymorethanIshall。Theremustbeperfectfreedomonbothsides。See，hereisyourringback。Givememine。
Helmer。Thattoo？
Nora。Thattoo。
Helmer。Hereitis。
Nora。That’sright。Nowitisallover。Ihaveputthekeyshere。
Themaidsknowallabouteverythinginthehouse——betterthanIdo。
Tomorrow，afterIhavelefther，ChristinewillcomehereandpackupmyownthingsthatIbroughtwithmefromhome。Iwillhavethemsentafterme。
Helmer。Allover!Allover!——Nora，shallyouneverthinkofmeagain？
Nora。IknowIshalloftenthinkofyou，thechildren，andthishouse。
Helmer。MayIwritetoyou，Nora？
Nora。No——never。Youmustnotdothat。
Helmer。Butatleastletmesendyou——
Nora。Nothing——nothing——
Helmer。Letmehelpyouifyouareinwant。
Nora。No。Icanreceivenothingfromastranger。
Helmer。Nora——canIneverbeanythingmorethanastrangertoyou？
Nora（takingherbag）。Ah，Torvald，themostwonderfulthingofallwouldhavetohappen。
Helmer。Tellmewhatthatwouldbe!
Nora。BothyouandIwouldhavetobesochangedthat——。Oh，Torvald，Idon’tbelieveanylongerinwonderfulthingshappening。
Helmer。ButIwillbelieveinit。Tellme!Sochangedthat——？
Nora。Thatourlifetogetherwouldbearealwedlock。Goodbye。
（Shegoesoutthroughthehall。）
Helmer（sinksdownonachairatthedoorandburieshisfaceinhishands）。Nora!Nora!（Looksround，andrises。）Empty。Sheisgone。（Ahopeflashesacrosshismind。）Themostwonderfulthingofall——？
（Thesoundofadoorshuttingisheardfrombelow。）