Doll's House (9781443435505) by Henrik Ibsen Read Free Book Online

LINDE
    When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared he had often heard my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your husband hadn’t the slightest idea who I was. So how could Doctor Rank—?
    NORA
    That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fond of me that he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folk at home, so naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk about such things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.
    MRS. LINDE
    Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and I am older than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let me tell you this—you ought to make an end of it with Doctor Rank.
    NORA
    What ought I to make an end of?
    MRS. LINDE
    Of two things, I think. Yesterday you talked some nonsense about a rich admirer who was to leave you money—
    NORA
    An admirer who doesn’t exist, unfortunately! But what then?
    MRS. LINDE
    Is Doctor Rank a man of means?
    NORA
    Yes, he is.
    MRS. LINDE
    And has no one to provide for?
    NORA
    No, no one; but—
    MRS. LINDE
    And comes here every day?
    NORA
    Yes, I told you so.
    MRS. LINDE
    But how can this well-bred man be so tactless?
    NORA
    I don’t understand you at all.
    MRS. LINDE
    Don’t prevaricate, Nora. Do you suppose I don’t guess who lent you the two hundred and fifty pounds?
    NORA
    Are you out of your senses? How can you think of such a thing! A friend of ours, who comes here every day! Do you realise what a horribly painful position that would be?
    MRS. LINDE
    Then it really isn’t he?
    NORA
    No, certainly not. It would never have entered into my head for a moment. Besides, he had no money to lend then; he came into his money afterwards.
    MRS. LINDE
    Well, I think that was lucky for you, my dear Nora.
    NORA
    No, it would never have come into my head to ask Doctor Rank. Although I am quite sure that if I had asked him—
    MRS. LINDE
    But of course you won’t.
    NORA
    Of course not. I have no reason to think it could possibly be necessary. But I am quite sure that if I told Doctor Rank—
    MRS. LINDE
    Behind your husband’s back?
    NORA
    I must make an end of it with the other one, and that will be behind his back too. I must make an end of it with him.
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, that is what I told you yesterday, but—
    NORA
    (
Walking up and down
.) A man can put a thing like that straight much easier than a woman—
    MRS. LINDE
    One’s husband, yes.
    NORA
    Nonsense! (
Standing still
.) When you pay off a debt you get your bond back, don’t you?
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, as a matter of course.
    NORA
    And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up—the nasty dirty paper!
    MRS. LINDE
    (
Looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly
.) Nora, you are concealing something from me.
    NORA
    Do I look as if I were?
    MRS. LINDE
    Something has happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, what is it?
    NORA
    (
Going nearer to her
.) Christine! (
Listens
.) Hush! there’s Torvald come home. Do you mind going in to the children for the present? Torvald can’t bear to see dressmaking going on. Let Anne help you.
    MRS. LINDE
    (
Gathering some of the things together
.) Certainly—but I am not going away from here until we have had it out with one another. (
She goes into the room on the left, as
HELMER
comes in from the hall
.)
    NORA
    (
Going up to
HELMER). I have wanted you so much, Torvald dear.
    HELMER
    Was that the dressmaker?
    NORA
    No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress in order. You will see I shall look quite smart.
    HELMER
    Wasn’t that a happy thought of mine, now?
    NORA
    Splendid! But don’t you think it is nice of me, too, to do as you wish?
    HELMER
    Nice?—because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. But I am not going