Henrik Ibsen: Doll's House

NORA

It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can.

HELMER

( Laughing ). That’s very true—all you can. But you can’t save anything!

NORA

( Smiling quietly and happily .) You haven’t any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.

HELMER

You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit these things, Nora.

NORA

Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa’s qualities.

HELMER

And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking rather—what shall I say—rather uneasy today?

NORA

Do I?

HELMER

You do, really. Look straight at me.

NORA

( Looks at him .) Well?

HELMER

( Wagging his finger at her .) Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?

NORA

No; what makes you think that?

HELMER

Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s?

NORA

No, I assure you, Torvald—

HELMER

Not been nibbling sweets?

NORA

No, certainly not.

HELMER

Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two?

NORA

No, Torvald, I assure you really—

HELMER

There, there, of course I was only joking.

NORA

( Going to the table on the right .) I should not think of going against your wishes.

HELMER

No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word—( Going up to her .) Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas Tree is lit, no doubt.

NORA

Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?

HELMER

No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward to this evening.

NORA

So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!

HELMER

It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It’s delightful to think of, isn’t it?

NORA

It’s wonderful!

HELMER

Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening until long after midnight, making ornaments for the Christmas Tree, and all the other fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever spent!

NORA

I didn’t find it dull.

HELMER

( Smiling ). But there was precious little result, Nora.

NORA

Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces?

HELMER

Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.

NORA

Yes, it is really wonderful.

HELMER

This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands—

NORA

( Clapping her hands .) No, Torvald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! ( Taking his arm .) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over—( A bell rings in the hall .) There’s the bell. ( She tidies the room a little .) There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance!

HELMER

If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.

MAID

( In the doorway .) A lady to see you, ma’am,—a stranger.

NORA

Ask her to come in.

MAID

( To HELMER) The doctor came at the same time, sir.

HELMER

Did he go straight into my room?

MAID

Yes, sir.

(HELMER goes into his room . The MAID ushers in MRS. LINDE, who is in travelling dress, and shuts the door .)

MRS. LINDE

( In a dejected and timid voice. ) How do you do, Nora?

NORA

( Doubtfully. ) How do you do—

MRS. LINDE

You don’t recognise me, I suppose.

NORA

No, I don’t know—yes, to be sure, I seem to—( Suddenly .) Yes! Christine! Is it really you?

MRS. LINDE

Yes, it is I.

NORA

Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I—( In a gentle voice .) How you have altered, Christine!

MRS. LINDE

Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years—

NORA

Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter—that was plucky of you.

MRS. LINDE

I arrived by steamer this morning.

NORA

To have some fun at Christmastime, of course. How delightful! We will have such fun together! But take off your things. You are not cold, I hope. ( Helps her .) Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. No, take this armchair; I will sit here in the rocking chair. ( Takes her hands .) Now you look like your old self again; it was only the first moment—You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.

MRS. LINDE

And much, much older, Nora.

NORA

Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. ( Stops suddenly and speaks seriously .) What a thoughtless creature I am, chattering away like this. My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me.

MRS. LINDE

What do you mean, Nora?

NORA

( Gently .) Poor Christine, you are a widow.

MRS. LINDE

Yes; it is three years ago now.

NORA

Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine, I meant ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something always prevented me.

MRS. LINDE

I quite understand, dear.

NORA

It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. And he left you nothing?

MRS. LINDE

No.

NORA

And no children?

MRS. LINDE

No.

NORA

Nothing at all, then.

MRS. LINDE

Not even any sorrow or grief to live upon.

NORA

( Looking incredulously at her .) But, Christine, is that possible?

MRS. LINDE

( Smiles sadly and strokes her hair ). It sometimes happens, Nora.

NORA

So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children. You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.

MRS. LINDE

No, no; I want to hear about you.

NORA

No, you must begin. I mustn’t be selfish today; today I must only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we have just had a great piece of good luck?

MRS. LINDE

No, what is it?

NORA

Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank!

MRS. LINDE

Your husband? What good luck!

NORA

Yes, tremendous! A barrister’s profession is such an uncertain thing, especially if he won’t undertake unsavoury cases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the Bank at the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we can live quite differently—we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won’t it?