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

sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable.
    NORA
    Torvald, I don’t believe you mean that.
    HELMER
    Don’t you? Why not?
    NORA
    Because it is such a narrow-minded way of looking at things.
    HELMER
    What are you saying? Narrow-minded? Do you think I am narrow-minded?
    NORA
    No, just the opposite, dear—and it is exactly for that reason.
    HELMER
    It’s the same thing. You say my point of view is narrow-minded, so I must be so too. Narrow-minded! Very well—I must put an end to this. (
Goes to the hall door and calls
.) Helen!
    NORA
    What are you going to do?
    Helmer.
    (
Looking among his papers
.) Settle it. (
Enter
MAID) Look here; take this letter and go downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger and tell him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is on it, and here is the money.
    MAID
    Very well, sir. (
Exit with the letter
.)
    HELMER
    (
Putting his papers together
). Now then, little Miss Obstinate.
    NORA
    (
Breathlessly
). Torvald—what was that letter?
    HELMER
    Krogstad’s dismissal.
    NORA
    Call her back, Torvald! There is still time. Oh Torvald, call her back! Do it for my sake—for your own sake—for the children’s sake! Do you hear me, Torvald? Call her back! You don’t know what that letter can bring upon us.
    HELMER
    It’s too late.
    NORA
    Yes, it’s too late.
    HELMER
    My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn’t it an insult to think that I should be afraid of a starving quill-driver’s vengeance? But I forgive you nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your great love for me. (
Takes her in his arms
.) And that is as it should be, my own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself.
    NORA
    (
In a horror-stricken voice
.) What do you mean by that?
    HELMER
    Everything, I say—
    NORA
    (
Recovering herself
). You will never have to do that.
    HELMER
    That’s right. Well, we will share it, Nora, as man and wife should. That is how it shall be. (
Caressing her
.) Are you content now? There! There!—not these frightened dove’s eyes! The whole thing is only the wildest fancy!—Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella and practise with your tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and shut the door, and I shall hear nothing; you can make as much noise as you please. (
Turns back at the door
.) And when Rank comes, tell him where he will find me. (
Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shuts the door after him
.)
    NORA
    (
Bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, and whispers
.) He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it in spite of everything.—No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather than that! Oh, for some help, some way out of it! (
The doorbell rings
.) Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that—anything, whatever it is! (
She puts her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it
. RANK
is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the following dialogue it begins to grow dark
.)
    NORA
    Good day, Doctor Rank. I knew your ring. But you mustn’t go in to Torvald now; I think he is busy with something.
    RANK
    And you?
    NORA
    (
Brings him in and shuts the door after him
.) Oh, you know very well I always have time for you.
    RANK
    Thank you. I shall make use of as much of it as I can.
    NORA
    What do you mean by that? As much of it as you can?
    RANK
    Well, does that alarm you?
    NORA
    It was such a strange way of putting it. Is anything likely to happen?
    RANK
    Nothing but what I have long been prepared for. But I certainly didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
    NORA
    (
Gripping him by the arm
.) What have you found out? Doctor Rank, you must tell me.
    RANK
    (
Sitting down