Doll's House (9781443435505)

Dramatis Personae

Act I

Act II

Act III

About the Author

About the Series

Copyright

About the Publisher

Torvald Helmer

Nora, his wife

Doctor Rank

Mrs. Linde

Nils Krogstad

Helmer's three young children

Anne, their nurse

A Housemaid

A Porter

The action takes place in Helmer's house.

A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly.

At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance hall, another to the left leads to Helmer's study. Between the doors stands a piano.

In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, armchairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small bookcase with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter.

A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter
NORA
, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a
PORTER
who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the
MAID
who has opened the door
.

NORA

Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. (
To the
PORTER,
taking out her purse
.) How much?

PORTER

Sixpence.

NORA

There is a shilling. No, keep the change. (
The
PORTER
thanks her, and goes out
. NORA
shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband's door and listens
.) Yes, he is in. (
Still humming, she goes to the table on the right
.)

HELMER

(
Calls out from his room.
) Is that my little lark twittering out there?

NORA

(
Busy opening some of the parcels.
) Yes, it is!

HELMER

Is it my little squirrel bustling about?

NORA

Yes!

HELMER

When did my squirrel come home?

NORA

Just now. (
Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth
.) Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.

HELMER

Don't disturb me. (
A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand
.) Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?

NORA

Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.

HELMER

Still, you know, we can't spend money recklessly.

NORA

Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.

HELMER

Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.

NORA

Pooh! we can borrow until then.

HELMER

Nora! (
Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear
.) The same little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year's Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me, and—

NORA

(
Putting her hands over his mouth.
) Oh! don't say such horrid things.

HELMER

Still, suppose that happened—what then?

NORA

If that were to happen, I don't suppose I should care whether I owed money or not.

HELMER

Yes, but what about the people who had lent it?

NORA

They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who they were.

HELMER

That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle.

NORA

(
Moving towards the stove.
) As you please, Torvald.

HELMER

(
Following her.
) Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? (
Taking out his purse
.) Nora, what do you think I have got here?

NORA

(
Turning round quickly.
) Money!

HELMER

There you are. (
Gives her some money
.) Do you think I don't know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmastime?

NORA (
Counting.
) Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.

HELMER

Indeed it must.

NORA

Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly's bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.

HELMER

And what is in this parcel?

NORA

(
Crying out.
) No, no! you mustn't see that until this evening.

HELMER

Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant little person, what would you like for yourself?

NORA

For myself? Oh, I am sure I don't want anything.

HELMER

Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that you would particularly like to have.

NORA

No, I really can't think of anything—unless, Torvald—

HELMER

Well?

NORA

(
Playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyes to his.
) If you really want to give me something, you might—you might—

HELMER

Well, out with it!

NORA

(
Speaking quickly.
) You might give me money, Torvald. Only just as much as you can afford; and then one of these days I will buy something with it.

HELMER

But, Nora—

NORA

Oh, do! dear Torvald; please, please do! Then I will wrap it up in beautiful gilt paper and hang it on the Christmas Tree. Wouldn't that be fun?

HELMER

What are little people called that are always wasting money?

NORA

Spendthrifts—I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torvald, and then I shall have time to think what I am most in want of. That is a very sensible plan, isn't it?

HELMER

(
Smiling
.) Indeed it is—that is to say, if you were really to save out of the money I give you, and then really buy something for yourself. But if you spend it all on the housekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, then I merely have to pay up again.

NORA

Oh but, Torvald—

HELMER

You can't deny it, my dear little Nora. (
Puts his arm round her waist
.) It's a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money. One would hardly believe how expensive such little persons are!

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.