Chapter 11

Krogstad.

[Seizing her hands.] Thank you—thank you, Christina. Now I shall make others see me as you do.—Ah, I forgot——

Mrs. Linden.

[Listening.] Hush! The tarantella! Go! go!

Krogstad.

Why? What is it?

Mrs. Linden.

Don’t you hear the dancing overhead? As soon as that is over they will be here.

Krogstad.

Oh yes, I shall go. Nothing will come of this, after all. Of course, you don’t know the step I have taken against the Helmers.

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, Nils, I do know.

Krogstad.

And yet you have the courage to——?

Mrs. Linden.

I know to what lengths despair can drive a man.

Krogstad.

Oh, if I could only undo it!

Mrs. Linden.

You could. Your letter is still in the box.

Krogstad.

Are you sure?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes; but——

Krogstad.

[Looking to her searchingly.] Is that what it all means? You want to save your friend at any price. Say it out—is that your idea?

Mrs. Linden.

Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for the sake of others, does not do so again.

Krogstad.

I shall demand my letter back again.

Mrs. Linden.

No, no.

Krogstad.

Yes, of course. I shall wait till Helmer comes; I shall tell him to give it back to me—that it’s only about my dismissal—that I don’t want it read——

Mrs. Linden.

No, Nils, you must not recall the letter.

Krogstad.

But tell me, wasn’t that just why you got me to come here?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, in my first alarm. But a day has passed since then, and in that day I have seen incredible things in this house. Helmer must know everything; there must be an end to this unhappy secret. These two must come to a full understanding. They must have done with all these shifts and subterfuges.

Krogstad.

Very well, if you like to risk it. Butonething I can do, and at once——

Mrs. Linden.

[Listening.] Make haste! Go, go! The dance is over; we’re not safe another moment.

Krogstad.

I shall wait for you in the street.

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, do; you must see me home.

Krogstad.

I never was so happy in all my life!

[Krogstadgoes out by the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remains open.

Mrs. Linden.

[Arranging the room and getting her outdoor things together.] What a change! What a change! To have some one to work for, to live for; a home to make happy! Well, it shall not be my fault if I fail.—I wish they would come.—[Listens.] Ah, here they are! I must get my things on.

[Takes bonnet and cloak.Helmer’sandNora’svoices are heard outside, a key is turned in the lock, andHelmerdragsNoraalmost by force into the hall. She wears the Italian costume with a large black shawl over it. He is in evening dress and wears a black domino, open.

Nora.

[Struggling with him in the doorway.] No, no, no! I won’t go in! I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early!

Helmer.

But, my dearest girl——!

Nora.

Oh, please, please, Torvald, I beseech you—only one hour more!

Helmer.

Not one minute more, Nora dear; you know what we agreed. Come, come in; you’re catching cold here.

[He leads her gently into the room in spite of her resistance.

Mrs. Linden.

Good-evening.

Nora.

Christina!

Helmer.

What, Mrs. Linden! You here so late?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, I ought to apologise. I did so want to see Nora in her costume.

Nora.

Have you been sitting here waiting for me?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes; unfortunately I came too late. You had gone upstairs already, and I felt I couldn’t go away without seeing you.

Helmer.

[TakingNora’sshawl off.] Well then, just look at her! I assure you she’s worth it. Isn’t she lovely, Mrs. Linden?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, I must say——

Helmer.

Isn’t she exquisite? Every one said so. But she’s dreadfully obstinate, dear little creature. What’s to be done with her? Just think, I had almost to force her away.

Nora.

Oh, Torvald, you’ll be sorry some day that you didn’t let me stay, if only for one half-hour more.

Helmer.

There! You hear her, Mrs. Linden? She dances her tarantella with wild applause, and well she deserved it, I must say—though there was, perhaps, a little too much nature in her rendering of the idea—more than was, strictly speaking, artistic. But never mind—the point is, she made a great success, a tremendous success. Was I to let her remain after that—to weaken the impression? Not if I know it. I took my sweet little Capri girl—my capricious little Capri girl, I might say—under my arm; a rapid turn round the room, a curtsey to all sides, and—as they say in novels—the lovely apparition vanished! An exit should always be effective, Mrs. Linden; but I can’t get Nora to see it. By Jove! it’s warm here. [Throws his domino on a chair and opens the door to his room.] What! No light there? Oh, of course. Excuse me——

[Goes in and lights candles.

Nora.

[Whispers breathlessly.] Well?

Mrs. Linden.

[Softly.] I’ve spoken to him.

Nora.

And——?

Mrs. Linden.

Nora—you must tell your husband everything——

Nora.

[Tonelessly.] I knew it!

Mrs. Linden.

You have nothing to fear from Krogstad; but you must speak out.

Nora.

I shall notspeak.speak.

Mrs. Linden.

Then the letter will.

Nora.

Thank you, Christina. Now I know what I have to do. Hush——!

Helmer.

[Coming back.] Well, Mrs. Linden, have you admired her?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes; and now I must say good-night.

Helmer.

What, already? Does this knitting belong to you?

Mrs. Linden.

[Takes it.] Yes, thanks; I was nearly forgetting it.

Helmer.

Then you do knit?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes.

Helmer.

Do you know, you ought to embroider instead?

Mrs. Linden.

Indeed! Why?

Helmer.

Because it’s so much prettier. Look now! Youhold the embroidery in the left hand, so, and then work the needle with the right hand, in a long, graceful curve—don’t you?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes, I suppose so.

Helmer.

But knitting is always ugly. Just look—your arms close to your sides, and the needles going up and down—there’s something Chinese about it.—They really gave us splendid champagne to-night.

Mrs. Linden.

Well, good-night, Nora, and don’t be obstinate any more.

Helmer.

Well said, Mrs. Linden!

Mrs. Linden.

Good-night, Mr. Helmer.

Helmer.

[Accompanying her to the door.] Good-night, good-night; I hope you’ll get safely home. I should be glad to—but you have such a short way to go. Good-night, good-night. [She goes;Helmershuts the door after her and comes forward again.] At last we’ve got rid of her: she’s a terrible bore.

Nora.

Aren’t you very tired, Torvald?

Helmer.

No, not in the least.

Nora.

Nor sleepy?

Helmer.

Not a bit. I feel particularly lively. But you? You do look tired and sleepy.

Nora.

Yes, very tired. I shall soon sleep now.

Helmer.

There, you see. I was right after all not to let you stay longer.

Nora.

Oh, everything you do is right.

Helmer.

[Kissing her forehead.] Now my lark is speaking like a reasonable being. Did you notice how jolly Rank was this evening?

Nora.

Indeed? Was he? I had no chance of speaking to him.

Helmer.

Nor I, much; but I haven’t seen him in such good spirits for a long time. [Looks atNoraa little, then comes nearer her.] It’s splendid to be back in our own home, to be quite alone together!—Oh, you enchanting creature!

Nora.

Don’t look at me in that way, Torvald.

Helmer.

I am not to look at my dearest treasure?—at allthe loveliness that is mine, mine only, wholly and entirely mine?

Nora.

[Goes to the other side of the table.] You mustn’t say these things to me this evening.

Helmer.

[Following.] I see you have the tarantella still in your blood—-and that makes you all the more enticing. Listen! the other people are going now. [More softly.] Nora—soon the whole house will be still.

Nora.

Yes, I hope so.

Helmer.

Yes, don’t you, Nora darling? When we are among strangers, do you know why I speak so little to you, and keep so far away, and only steal a glance at you now and then—do you knowwhyI do it? Because I am fancying that we love each other in secret, that I am secretly betrothed to you, and that no one dreams that there is anything between us.

Nora.

Yes, yes, yes. I know all your thoughts are with me.

Helmer.

And then, when the time comes to go, and I put the shawl about your smooth, soft shoulders, and this glorious neck of yours, I imagine you are my bride, that our marriage is just over, that I am bringing you for the first time to my home—that I am alone with you for the first time—quite alone with you, in your trembling loveliness! All thisevening I have been longing for you, and you only. When I watched you swaying and whirling in the tarantella—my blood boiled—I could endure it no longer; and that’s why I made you come home with me so early——

Nora.

Go now, Torvald! Go away from me. I won’t have all this.

Helmer.

What do you mean? Ah, I see you’re teasing me, little Nora! Won’t—won’t! Am I not your husband——?

[A knock at the outer door.

Nora

[Starts.] Did you hear——?

Helmer.

[Going towards the hall.] Who’s there?

Rank.

[Outside.] It is I; may I come in for a moment?

Helmer.

[In a low tone, annoyed.] Oh! what can he want just now? [Aloud.] Wait a moment. [Opens door.] Come, it’s nice of you to look in.

Rank.

I thought I heard your voice, and that put it into my head. [Looks round.] Ah, this dear old place! How cosy you two are here!

Helmer.

You seemed to find it pleasant enough upstairs, too.

Rank.

Exceedingly. Why not? Why shouldn’t one take one’s share of everything in this world? All one can, at least, and as long as one can. The wine was splendid——

Helmer.

Especially the champagne.

Rank.

Did you notice it? It’s incredible the quantity I contrived to get down.

Nora.

Torvald drank plenty of champagne, too.

Rank.

Did he?

Nora.

Yes, and it always puts him in such spirits.

Rank.

Well, why shouldn’t one have a jolly evening after a well-spent day?

Helmer.

Well-spent! Well, I haven’t much to boast of in that respect.

Rank.

[Slapping him on the shoulder.] But Ihave, don’t you see?

Nora.

I suppose you have been engaged in a scientific investigation, Doctor Rank?

Rank.

Quite right.

Helmer.

Bless me! Little Nora talking about scientific investigations!

Nora.

Am I to congratulate you on the result?

Rank.

By all means.

Nora.

It was good then?

Rank.

The best possible, both for doctor and patient—certainty.

Nora.

[Quickly and searchingly.] Certainty?

Rank.

Absolute certainty. Wasn’t I right to enjoy myself after that?

Nora.

Yes, quite right, Doctor Rank.

Helmer.

And so say I, provided you don’t have to pay for it to-morrow.

Rank.

Well, in this life nothing is to be had for nothing.

Nora.

Doctor Rank—I’m sure you are very fond of masquerades?

Rank.

Yes, when there are plenty of amusing disguises——

Nora.

Tell me, what shall we two be at our next masquerade?

Helmer.

Little featherbrain! Thinking of your next already!

Rank.

We two? I’ll tell you. You must go as a good fairy.

Helmer.

Ah, but what costume would indicatethat?

Rank.

She has simply to wear her everyday dress.

Helmer.

Capital! But don’t you know what you will be yourself?

Rank.

Yes, my dear friend, I am perfectly clear upon that point.

Helmer.

Well?

Rank.

At the next masquerade I shall be invisible.

Helmer.

What a comical idea!

Rank.

There’s a big black hat—haven’t you heard ofthe invisible hat? It comes down all over you, and then no one can see you.

Helmer.

[With a suppressed smile.] No, you’re right there.

Rank.

But I’m quite forgetting what I came for. Helmer, give me a cigar—one of the dark Havanas.

Helmer.

With the greatest pleasure.[Hands cigar-case.

Rank.

[Takes one and cuts the end off.] Thank you.

Nora.

[Striking a wax match.] Let me give you a light.

Rank.

A thousand thanks.

[She holds the match. He lights his cigar at it.

Rank.

And now, good-bye!

Helmer.

Good-bye, good-bye, my dear fellow.

Nora.

Sleep well, Doctor Rank.

Rank.

Thanks for the wish.

Nora.

Wish me the same.

Rank.

You? Very well, since you ask me—Sleep well. And thanks for the light.

[He nods to them both and goes out.

Helmer.

[In an undertone.] He’s been drinking a good deal.

Nora.

[Absently.] I daresay. [Helmertakes his bunch of keys from his pocket and goes into the hall.] Torvald, what are you doing there?

Helmer.

I must empty the letter-box; it’s quite full; there will be no room for the newspapers to-morrow morning.

Nora.

Are you going to work to-night?

Helmer.

You know very well I am not.—Why, how is this? Some one has been at the lock.

Nora.

The lock——?

Helmer.

I’m sure of it. What does it mean? I can’t think that the servants——? Here’s a broken hair-pin. Nora, it’s one of yours.

Nora.

[Quickly.] It must have been the children——

Helmer.

Then you must break them of such tricks.—There! At last I’ve got it open. [Takes contents out and calls into the kitchen.] Ellen!—Ellen, just put the hall door lamp out.

[He returns with letters in his hand, and shuts the inner door.

Helmer.

Just see how they’ve accumulated. [Turning them over.] Why, what’s this?

Nora.

[At the window.] The letter! Oh no, no, Torvald!

Helmer.

Two visiting-cards—from Rank.

Nora.

From Doctor Rank?

Helmer.

[Looking at them.] Doctor Rank. They were on the top. He must just have put them in.

Nora.

Is there anything on them?

Helmer.

There’s a black cross over the name. Look at it. What an unpleasant idea! It looks just as if he were announcing his own death.

Nora.

So he is.

Helmer.

What! Do you know anything? Has he told you anything?

Nora.

Yes. These cards mean that he has taken his last leave of us. He is going to shut himself up and die.

Helmer.

Poor fellow! Of course I knew we couldn’t hope to keep him long. But so soon——! And to go and creep into his lair like a wounded animal——

Nora.

When wemustgo, it is best to gosilently.silently.Don’t you think so, Torvald?

Helmer.

[Walking up and down.] He had so grown into our lives, I can’t realise that he is gone. He and his sufferings and his loneliness formed a sort of cloudy background to the sunshine of our happiness.—Well, perhaps it’s best as it is—at any rate for him. [Stands still.] And perhaps for us too, Nora. Now we two are thrown entirely upon each other. [Takes her in his arms.] My darling wife! I feel as if I could never hold you close enough. Do you know, Nora, I often wish some danger might threaten you, that I might risk body and soul, and everything, everything, for your dear sake.

Nora.

[Tears herself from him and says firmly.] Now you shall read your letters, Torvald.

Helmer.

No, no; not to-night. I want to be with you, my sweet wife.

Nora.

With the thought of your dying friend——?

Helmer.

You are right. This has shaken us both. Unloveliness has come between us—thoughts of death and decay. We must seek to cast them off. Till then—we will remain apart.

Nora.

[Her arms round his neck.] Torvald! Goodnight! good-night!

Helmer.

[Kissing her forehead!] Good-night, my little song-bird. Sleep well, Nora. Now I shall go and read my letters.

[He goes with the letters in his hand into his room and shuts the door.

Nora.

[With wild eyes, gropes about her, seizesHelmer’sdomino, throws it round her, and whispers quickly, hoarsely, and brokenly.] Never to see him again. Never, never, never. [Throws her shawl over her head.] Never to see the children again. Never, never.—Oh that black, icy water! Oh that bottomless——! If it were only over! Now he has it; he’s reading it. Oh, no, no, no, not yet. Torvald, good-bye——! Good-bye, my little ones——!

[She is rushing out by the hall; at the same momentHelmerflings his door open, and stands there with an open letter in his hand.

Helmer.

Nora!

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