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

to disturb you; you will want to be trying on your dress, I expect.
    NORA
    I suppose you are going to work.
    HELMER
    Yes. (
Shows her a bundle of papers
.) Look at that. I have just been into the bank. (
Turns to go into his room
.)
    NORA
    Torvald.
    HELMER
    Yes.
    NORA
    If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very prettily—?
    HELMER
    What then?
    NORA
    Would you do it?
    HELMER
    I should like to hear what it is, first.
    NORA
    Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants.
    HELMER
    Speak plainly.
    NORA
    Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and falling—
    HELMER
    Well, my skylark does that anyhow.
    NORA
    I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald.
    HELMER
    Nora—you surely don’t mean that request you made to me this morning?
    NORA
    (
Going near him
). Yes, Torvald, I beg you so earnestly—
    HELMER
    Have you really the courage to open up that question again?
    NORA
    Yes, dear, you must do as I ask; you must let Krogstad keep his post in the bank.
    HELMER
    My dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs. Linde shall have.
    NORA
    Yes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you could just as well dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad.
    HELMER
    This is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose to give him a thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I am expected to—
    NORA
    That isn’t the reason, Torvald. It is for your own sake. This fellow writes in the most scurrilous newspapers; you have told me so yourself. He can do you an unspeakable amount of harm. I am frightened to death of him—
    HELMER
    Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past that scare you.
    NORA
    What do you mean?
    HELMER
    Naturally you are thinking of your father.
    NORA
    Yes—yes, of course. Just recall to your mind what these malicious creatures wrote in the papers about papa, and how horribly they slandered him. I believe they would have procured his dismissal if the Department had not sent you over to inquire into it, and if you had not been so kindly disposed and helpful to him.
    HELMER
    My little Nora, there is an important difference between your father and me. Your father’s reputation as a public official was not above suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it will continue to be so, as long as I hold my office.
    NORA
    You never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. We ought to be so well off, so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no cares—you and I and the children, Torvald! That is why I beg you so earnestly—
    HELMER
    And it is just by interceding for him that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Is it to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife’s bidding—
    NORA
    And what if it did?
    HELMER
    Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager.
    NORA
    Whatever is that?
    HELMER
    His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary—
    NORA
    Yes, you could—couldn’t you?
    HELMER
    And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is “I say, Helmer, old fellow!” and that