Chapter 9

Nora.

What do you mean? As long as you can?

Rank.

Yes. Doesthatfrighten you?

Nora.

I think it’s an odd expression. Do you expect anything to happen?

Rank.

Something I have long been prepared for; but I didn’t think it would come so soon.

Nora.

[Catching at his arm.] What have you discovered? Doctor Rank, you must tell me!

Rank.

[Sitting down by the stove.] I am running down hill. There’s no help for it.

Nora.

[Draws a long breath of relief.] It’syou——?

Rank.

Who else should it be?—Why lie to one’s self? I am the most wretched of all my patients, Mrs. Helmer. In these last days I have been auditing my life-account—bankrupt! Perhaps before a month is over, I shall lie rotting in the churchyard.

Nora.

Oh! What an ugly way to talk.

Rank.

The thing itself is so confoundedly ugly, you see. But the worst of it is, so many other ugly things have to be gone through first. There isonly one last investigation to be made, and when that is over I shall know pretty certainly when the break-up will begin. There’s one thing I want to say to you: Helmer’s delicate nature shrinks so from all that is horrible: I will not have him in my sick-room——

Nora.

But, Doctor Rank——

Rank.

I won’t have him, I say—not on any account! I shall lock my door against him.—As soon as I am quite certain of the worst, I shall send you my visiting-card with a black cross on it; and then you will know that the final horror has begun.

Nora.

Why, you’re perfectly unreasonable to-day; and I did so want you to be in a really good humour.

Rank.

With death staring me in the face?—And to suffer thus for another’s sin! Where’s the justice of it? And in one way or another you can trace in every family some such inexorable retribution——

Nora.

[Stopping her ears.] Nonsense, nonsense! Now cheer up!

Rank.

Well, after all, the whole thing’s only worth laughing at. My poor innocent spine must do penance for my father’s wild oats.

Nora.

[At table, left.] I suppose he was too fond of asparagus and Strasbourg pâté, wasn’t he?

Rank.

Yes; and truffles.

Nora.

Yes, truffles, to be sure. And oysters, I believe?

Rank.

Yes, oysters; oysters, of course.

Nora.

And then all the port and champagne! It’s sad that all these good things should attack the spine.

Rank.

Especially when the luckless spine attacked never had any good of them.

Nora.

Ah, yes, that’s the worst of it.

Rank.

[Looks at her searchingly.] H’m——

Nora.

[A moment later.] Why did you smile?

Rank.

No; it was you that laughed.

Nora.

No; it was you that smiled, Dr. Rank.

Rank.

[Standing up.] I see you’re deeper than I thought.

Nora.

I’m in such a crazy mood to-day.

Rank.

So it seems.

Nora.

[With her hands on his shoulders.] Dear, dear Doctor Rank, death shall not take you away from Torvald and me.

Rank.

Oh, you’ll easily get over the loss. The absent are soon forgotten.

Nora.

[Looks at him anxiously.] Do you think so?

Rank.

People make fresh ties, and then——

Nora.

Who make fresh ties?

Rank.

You and Helmer will, when I am gone. You yourself are taking time by the forelock, it seems to me. What was that Mrs. Linden doing here yesterday?

Nora.

Oh!—you’re surely not jealous of poor Christina?

Rank.

Yes, I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I am out of the way, this woman will perhaps——

Nora.

Hush! Not so loud! She’s in there.

Rank.

To-day as well? You see!

Nora.

Only to put my costume in order—dear me, how unreasonable you are! [Sits on sofa.] Now do be good, Doctor Rank! To-morrow you shall see how beautifully I shall dance; and then you may fancy that I’m doing it all to please you—and of course Torvald as well. [Takes various things out of box.] Doctor Rank, sit down here, and I’ll show you something.

Rank.

[Sitting.] What is it?

Nora.

Lookhere!here!Look!

Rank.

Silk stockings.

Nora.

Flesh-coloured. Aren’t they lovely? It’s so dark here now; but to-morrow——No, no, no; you must only look at the feet. Oh, well, I suppose you may look at the resttoo.too.

Rank.

H’m——

Nora.

What are you looking so critical about? Do you think they won’t fit me?

Rank.

I can’t possibly give any competent opinion on that point.

Nora.

[Looking at him a moment.] For shame! [Hits him lightly on the ear with the stockings.] Take that.

[Rolls them up again.

Rank.

And what other wonders am I to see?

Nora.

You sha’n’t see anything more; for you don’t behave nicely.

[She hums a little and searches among the things.

Rank.

[After a short silence.] When I sit here gossiping with you, I can’t imagine—I simply cannot conceive—what would have become of me if I had never entered this house.

Nora.

[Smiling.] Yes, I think you do feel at home with us.

Rank.

[More softly—looking straight before him.] And now to have to leave it all——

Nora.

Nonsense. You sha’n’t leave us.

Rank.

[In the same tone.] And not to be able to leave behind the slightest token of gratitude; scarcely even a passing regret—nothing but an empty place, that can be filled by the first comer.

Nora.

And if I were to ask you for——? No——

Rank.

For what?

Nora.

For a great proof of your friendship.

Rank.

Yes—yes?

Nora.

I mean—for a very, very great service——

Rank.

Would you really, for once, make me so happy?

Nora.

Oh, you don’t know what it is.

Rank.

Then tell me.

Nora.

No, I really can’t, Doctor Rank. It’s far, far too much—not only a service, but help and advice besides——

Rank.

So much the better. I can’t think what you can mean. But go on. Don’t you trust me?

Nora.

As I trust no one else. I know you are my best and truest friend. So I will tell you. Well then, Doctor Rank, there is something you must help me to prevent. You know how deeply, how wonderfully Torvald loves me; he wouldn’t hesitate a moment to give his very life for my sake.

Rank.

[Bending towards her.] Nora—do you think he is the only one who——?

Nora.

[With a slight start.] Who——?

Rank.

Who would gladly give his life for you?

Nora.

[Sadly.] Oh!

Rank.

I have sworn that you shall know it before I—go. I shall never find a better opportunity.—Yes, Nora, now I have told you; and now you know that you can trust me as you can no one else.

Nora.

[Standing up; simply and calmly.] Let me pass, please.

Rank.

[Makes way for her, but remains sitting.] Nora——

Nora.

[In the doorway.] Ellen, bring the lamp. [Crosses to the stove.] Oh dear, Doctor Rank, that was too bad of you.

Rank.

[Rising.] That I have loved you as deeply as—any one else? Was that too bad of me?

Nora.

No, but that you should have told me so. It was so unnecessary——

Rank.

What do you mean? Did you know——?

[Ellenenters with the lamp; sets it on the table and goes out again.

Rank.

Nora—Mrs. Helmer—I ask you, did you know?

Nora.

Oh, how can I tell what I knew or didn’t know? I really can’t say——How could you be so clumsy, Doctor Rank? It was all so nice!

Rank.

Well, at any rate, you know now that I am at your service, body and soul. And now, go on.

Nora.

[Looking at him.] Go on—now?

Rank.

I beg you to tell me what you want.

Nora.

I can tell you nothing now.

Rank.

Yes, yes! You mustn’t punish me in that way. Let me do for you whatever a man can.

Nora.

You can do nothing for me now.—Besides, I really want no help. You shall see it was only my fancy. Yes, it must be so. Of course! [Sits in the rocking-chair, looks at him and smiles.] You are a nice person, Doctor Rank! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, now that the lamp is on the table?

Rank.

No; not exactly. But perhaps I ought to go—for ever.

Nora.

No, indeed you mustn’t. Of course you must come and go as you’ve always done. You know very well that Torvald can’t do without you.

Rank.

Yes, but you?

Nora.

Oh, you know I always like to have you here.

Rank.

That is just what led me astray. You are a riddle to me. It has often seemed to me as if you liked being with me almost as much as being with Helmer.

Nora.

Yes; don’t you see? There are people one loves, and others one likes to talk to.

Rank.

Yes—there’s something in that.

Nora.

When I was a girl, of course I loved papa best. But it always delighted me to steal into the servants’ room. In the first place they never lectured me, and in the second it was such fun to hear them talk.

Rank.

Ah, I see; then it’s their place I have taken?

Nora.

[Jumps up and hurries towards him.] Oh, mydear Doctor Rank, I don’t mean that. But you understand, with Torvald it’s the same as with papa——

Ellenenters from the hall.

Ellen.

Please, ma’am—— [Whispers toNora,and gives her a card.]

Nora.

[Glancing at card.] Ah![Puts it in her pocket.

Rank.

Anything wrong?

Nora.

No, no, not in the least. It’s only—it’s my new costume——

Rank.

Your costume. Why, it’s there.

Nora.

Oh, that one, yes. But this is another that—I have ordered it—Torvald mustn’t know——

Rank.

Aha! So that’s the great secret.

Nora.

Yes, of course. Please go to him; he’s in the inner room. Do keep him while I——

Rank.

Don’t be alarmed; he sha’n’t escape.

[Goes intoHelmer’sroom.

Nora.

[ToEllen.] Is he waiting in the kitchen?

Ellen.

Yes, he came up the back stair——

Nora.

Didn’t you tell him I was engaged?

Ellen.

Yes, but it was no use.

Nora.

He won’t go away?

Ellen.

No, ma’am, not until he has spoken to you.

Nora.

Then let him come in; but quietly. And, Ellen—say nothing about it; it’s a surprise for my husband.

Ellen.

Oh, yes, ma’am, I understand.[She goes out.

Nora.

It is coming! The dreadful thing is coming, after all. No, no, no, it can never be; it shall not!

[She goes toHelmer’sdoor and slips the bolt.Ellenopens the hall door forKrogstad,and shuts it after him. He wears a travelling-coat, high boots, and a fur cap.

Nora.

[Goes towards him.] Speak softly; my husband is at home.

Krogstad.

All right. That’s nothing to me.

Nora.

What do you want?

Krogstad.

A little information.

Nora.

Be quick, then. What is it?

Krogstad.

You know I have got my dismissal.

Nora.

I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought for you to the last, but it was of no use.

Krogstad.

Does your husband care for you so little? He knows what I can bring upon you, and yet he dares——

Nora.

How could you think I should tell him?

Krogstad.

Well, as a matter of fact, I didn’t think it. It wasn’t like my friend Torvald Helmer to show so much courage——

Nora.

Mr. Krogstad, be good enough to speak respectfully of my husband.

Krogstad.

Certainly, with all due respect. But since you are so anxious to keep the matter secret, I suppose you are a little clearer than yesterday as to what you have done.

Nora.

Clearer than you could ever make me.

Krogstad.

Yes, such a bad lawyer as I——

Nora.

What is it you want?

Krogstad.

Only to see how you are getting on, Mrs. Helmer. I’ve been thinking about you all day. Even a mere money-lender, a gutter-journalist, a—in short, a creature like me—has a little bit of what people call feeling.

Nora.

Then show it; think of my little children.

Krogstad.

Did you and your husband think of mine? But enough of that. I only wanted to tell you that you needn’t take this matter too seriously. I shall not lodge any information, for the present.

Nora.

No, surely not. I knew you wouldn’t.

Krogstad.

The whole thing can be settled quite amicably. Nobody need know. It can remain among us three.

Nora.

My husband must never know.

Krogstad.

How can you prevent it? Can you pay off the balance?

Nora.

No, not at once.

Krogstad.

Or have you any means of raising the money in the next few days?

Nora.

None—that I will make use of.

Krogstad.

And if you had, it would not help you now. If you offered me ever so much money down, you should not get back your I.O.U.

Nora.

Tell me what you want to do with it.

Krogstad.

I only want to keep it—to have it in my possession. No outsider shall hear anything of it. So, if you have any desperate scheme in your head——

Nora.

What if I have?

Krogstad.

If you should think of leaving your husband and children——

Nora.

What if I do?

Krogstad.

Or if you should think of—something worse——

Nora.

How do you know that?

Krogstad.

Put all that out of your head.

Nora.

How did you know what I had in my mind?

Krogstad.

Most of us think ofthatat first. I thought of it, too; but I hadn’t the courage——

Nora.

[Tonelessly.] Nor I.

Krogstad.

[Relieved.] No, one hasn’t. You haven’t the courage either, have you?

Nora.

I haven’t, I haven’t.

Krogstad.

Besides, it would be very foolish.—Just one domestic storm, and it’s all over. I have a letter in my pocket for your husband——

Nora.

Telling him everything?

Krogstad.

Sparing you as much as possible.

Nora.

[Quickly.] He must never read that letter. Tear it up. I will manage to get the money somehow——

Krogstad.

Pardon me, Mrs. Helmer, but I believe I told you——

Nora.

Oh, I’m not talking about the money I owe you.Tell me how much you demand from my husband—I will get it.

Krogstad.

I demand no money from your husband.

Nora.

What do you demand then?

Krogstad.

I will tell you. I want to regain my footing in the world. I want to rise; and your husband shall help me to do it. For the last eighteen months my record has been spotless; I have been in bitter need all the time; but I was content to fight my way up, step by step. Now, I’ve been thrust down again, and I will not be satisfied with merely being reinstated as a matter of grace. I want to rise, I tell you. I must get into the Bank again, in a higher position than before. Your husband shall create a place on purpose for me——

Nora.

He will never do that!

Krogstad.

He will do it; I know him—he won’t dare to show fight! And when he and I are together there, you shall soon see! Before a year is out I shall be the manager’s right hand. It won’t be Torvald Helmer, but Nils Krogstad, that manages the Joint Stock Bank.

Nora.

That shall never be.

Krogstad.

Perhaps you will——?

Nora.

Now I have the courage for it.

Krogstad.

Oh, you don’t frighten me! A sensitive, petted creature like you——

Nora.

You shall see, you shall see!

Krogstad.

Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, black water? And next spring to come up again, ugly, hairless, unrecognisable——

Nora.

You can’t terrify me.

Krogstad.

Nor you me. People don’t do that sort of thing, Mrs. Helmer. And, after all, what would be the use of it? I have your husband in my pocket, all the same.

Nora.

Afterwards? When I am no longer——?

Krogstad.

You forget, your reputation remains in my hands! [Norastands speechless and looks at him.] Well, now you are prepared. Do nothing foolish. As soon as Helmer has received my letter, I shall expect to hear from him. And remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me back again into such paths. That I will never forgive him. Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer.

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