Henrik Ibsen - Doll's House

NORA

( Smiling ). I believe you do feel thoroughly at home with us.

RANK

( In a lower voice, looking straight in front of him .) And to be obliged to leave it all—

NORA

Nonsense, you are not going to leave it.

RANK

( As before .) And not be able to leave behind one the slightest token of one’s gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret—nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other.

NORA

And if I asked you now for a—? No!

RANK

For what?

NORA

For a big proof of your friendship—

RANK

Yes, yes!

NORA

I mean a tremendously big favour—

RANK

Would you really make me so happy for once?

NORA

Ah, but you don’t know what it is yet.

RANK

No—but tell me.

NORA

I really can’t, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it means advice, and help, and a favour—

RANK

The bigger a thing it is the better. I can’t conceive what it is you mean. Do tell me. Haven’t I your confidence?

NORA

More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me.

RANK

( Leaning towards her .) Nora—do you think he is the only one—?

NORA

( With a slight start ). The only one—?

RANK

The only one who would gladly give his life for your sake.

NORA

( Sadly ). Is that it?

RANK

I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else.

NORA

( Rises, deliberately and quietly .) Let me pass.

RANK

( Makes room for her to pass him, but sits still .) Nora!

Nora.

( At the hall door. ) Helen, bring in the lamp. ( Goes over to the stove .) Dear Doctor Rank, that was really horrid of you.

RANK

To have loved you as much as anyone else does? Was that horrid?

NORA

No, but to go and tell me so. There was really no need—

RANK

What do you mean? Did you know—? (MAID enters with lamp, puts it down on the table, and goes out .) Nora—Mrs. Helmer—tell me, had you any idea of this?

NORA

Oh, how do I know whether I had or whether I hadn’t? I really can’t tell you—To think you could be so clumsy, Doctor Rank! We were getting on so nicely.

RANK

Well, at all events you know now that you can command me, body and soul. So won’t you speak out?

NORA

( Looking at him. ) After what happened?

RANK

I beg you to let me know what it is.

NORA

I can’t tell you anything now.

RANK

Yes, yes. You mustn’t punish me in that way. Let me have permission to do for you whatever a man may do.

NORA

You can do nothing for me now. Besides, I really don’t need any help at all. You will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. It really is so—of course it is! ( Sits down in the rocking chair, and looks at him with a smile .) You are a nice sort of man, Doctor Rank!—don’t you feel ashamed of yourself, now the lamp has come?

RANK

Not a bit. But perhaps I had better go—forever?

NORA

No, indeed, you shall not. Of course you must come here just as before. You know very well Torvald can’t do without you.

RANK

Yes, but you?

NORA

Oh, I am always tremendously pleased when you come.

RANK

It is just that, that put me on the wrong track. You are a riddle to me. I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer’s.

NORA

Yes—you see there are some people one loves best, and others whom one would almost always rather have as companions.

RANK

Yes, there is something in that.

NORA

When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always thought it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids’ room, because they never moralised at all, and talked to each other about such entertaining things.

RANK

I see—it is their place I have taken.

NORA

( Jumping up and going to him .) Oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a little like being with papa—( Enter MAID from the hall .)

MAID

If you please, ma’am. ( Whispers and hands her a card .)

NORA

( Glancing at the card ). Oh! ( Puts it in her pocket .)

RANK

Is there anything wrong?

NORA

No, no, not in the least. It is only something—it is my new dress—

RANK

What? Your dress is lying there.

NORA

Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn’t know about it—

RANK

Oho! Then that was the great secret.

NORA

Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room. Keep him as long as—

RANK

Make your mind easy; I won’t let him escape.

( Goes into HELMER’S room .)

NORA

( To the MAID) And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?

MAID

Yes; he came up the back stairs.

NORA

But didn’t you tell him no one was in?

MAID

Yes, but it was no good.

NORA

He won’t go away?

MAID

No; he says he won’t until he has seen you, ma’am.

NORA

Well, let him come in—but quietly. Helen, you mustn’t say anything about it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband.

MAID

Yes, ma’am, I quite understand. ( Exit .)

NORA

This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can’t happen—it shan’t happen! ( She bolts the door of HELMER’S room. The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a fur cap .)

NORA

( Advancing towards him .) Speak low—my husband is at home.

KROGSTAD

No matter about that.

NORA

What do you want of me?

KROGSTAD

An explanation of something.

NORA

Make haste then. What is it?

KROGSTAD

You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.

NORA

I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I fought as hard as I could on your side, but it was no good.

KROGSTAD

Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I can expose you to, and yet he ventures—

NORA

How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?

KROGSTAD

I didn’t suppose so at all. It would not be the least like our dear Torvald Helmer to show so much courage—

NORA

Mr. Krogstad, a little respect for my husband, please.

KROGSTAD

Certainly—all the respect he deserves. But since you have kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I make bold to suppose that you have a little clearer idea, than you had yesterday, of what it actually is that you have done?

NORA

More than you could ever teach me.

KROGSTAD

Yes, such a bad lawyer as I am.

NORA

What is it you want of me?

KROGSTAD

Only to see how you were, Mrs. Helmer. I have been thinking about you all day long. A mere cashier, a quill-driver, a—well, a man like me—even he has a little of what is called feeling, you know.

NORA

Show it, then; think of my little children.

KROGSTAD

Have you and your husband thought of mine? But never mind about that. I only wanted to tell you that you need not take this matter too seriously. In the first place there will be no accusation made on my part.