Nora。Youdon’tmeanthatyouwilltellmyhusbandthatIoweyoumoney？
　　Krogstad。Hm!——supposeIweretotellhim？
　　Nora。Itwouldbeperfectlyinfamousofyou。（Sobbing。）Tothinkofhislearningmysecret，whichhasbeenmyjoyandpride，insuchanugly，clumsyway——thatheshouldlearnitfromyou!Anditwouldputmeinahorriblydisagreeableposition——
　　Krogstad。Onlydisagreeable？
　　Nora（impetuously）。Well，doit，then!——anditwillbetheworseforyou。Myhusbandwillseeforhimselfwhatablackguardyouare，andyoucertainlywon’tkeepyourpostthen。
　　Krogstad。Iaskedyouifitwasonlyadisagreeablesceneathomethatyouwereafraidof？
　　Nora。Ifmyhusbanddoesgettoknowofit，ofcoursehewillatoncepayyouwhatisstillowing，andweshallhavenothingmoretodowithyou。
　　Krogstad（comingastepnearer）。Listentome，Mrs。Helmer。
　　Eitheryouhaveaverybadmemoryoryouknowverylittleofbusiness。Ishallbeobligedtoremindyouofafewdetails。
　　Nora。Whatdoyoumean？
　　Krogstad。Whenyourhusbandwasill，youcametometoborrowtwohundredandfiftypounds。
　　Nora。Ididn’tknowanyoneelsetogoto。
　　Krogstad。Ipromisedtogetyouthatamount——
　　Nora。Yes，andyoudidso。
　　Krogstad。Ipromisedtogetyouthatamount，oncertainconditions。Yourmindwassotakenupwithyourhusband’sillness，andyouweresoanxioustogetthemoneyforyourjourney，thatyouseemtohavepaidnoattentiontotheconditionsofourbargain。ThereforeitwillnotbeamissifIremindyouofthem。Now，IpromisedtogetthemoneyonthesecurityofabondwhichIdrewup。
　　Nora。Yes，andwhichIsigned。
　　Krogstad。Good。Butbelowyoursignaturetherewereafewlinesconstitutingyourfatherasuretyforthemoney；thoselinesyourfathershouldhavesigned。
　　Nora。Should？Hedidsignthem。
　　Krogstad。Ihadleftthedateblank；thatistosay，yourfathershouldhimselfhaveinsertedthedateonwhichhesignedthepaper。
　　Doyourememberthat？
　　Nora。Yes，IthinkIremember——
　　Krogstad。ThenIgaveyouthebondtosendbyposttoyourfather。Isthatnotso？
　　Nora。Yes。
　　Krogstad。Andyounaturallydidsoatonce，becausefiveorsixdaysafterwardsyoubroughtmethebondwithyourfather’ssignature。AndthenIgaveyouthemoney。
　　Nora。Well，haven’tIbeenpayingitoffregularly？
　　Krogstad。Fairlyso，yes。But——tocomebacktothematterinhand——thatmusthavebeenaverytryingtimeforyou，Mrs。
　　Helmer？
　　Nora。Itwas，indeed。
　　Krogstad。Yourfatherwasveryill，wasn’the？
　　Nora。Hewasverynearhisend。
　　Krogstad。Anddiedsoonafterwards？
　　Nora。Yes。
　　Krogstad。Tellme，Mrs。Helmer，canyoubyanychancerememberwhatdayyourfatherdied？——onwhatdayofthemonth，Imean。
　　Nora。Papadiedonthe29thofSeptember。
　　Krogstad。Thatiscorrect；Ihaveascertaineditformyself。And，asthatisso，thereisadiscrepancy（takingapaperfromhispocket）whichIcannotaccountfor。
　　Nora。Whatdiscrepancy？Idon’tknow——
　　Krogstad。Thediscrepancyconsists，Mrs。Helmer，inthefactthatyourfathersignedthisbondthreedaysafterhisdeath。
　　Nora。Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstand——
　　Krogstad。Yourfatherdiedonthe29thofSeptember。But，lookhere；yourfatherhasdatedhissignaturethe2ndofOctober。Itisadiscrepancy，isn’tit？（NORAissilent。）Canyouexplainittome？（NORAisstillsilent。）Itisaremarkablething，too，thatthewords"2ndofOctober，"aswellastheyear，arenotwritteninyourfather’shandwritingbutinonethatIthinkI
　　know。Well，ofcourseitcanbeexplained；yourfathermayhaveforgottentodatehissignature，andsomeoneelsemayhavedatedithaphazardbeforetheyknewofhisdeath。Thereisnoharminthat。Italldependsonthesignatureofthename；andthatisgenuine，Isuppose，Mrs。Helmer？Itwasyourfatherhimselfwhosignedhisnamehere？
　　Nora（afterashortpause，throwsherheadupandlooksdefiantlyathim）。No，itwasnot。ItwasIthatwrotepapa’sname。
　　Krogstad。Areyouawarethatisadangerousconfession？
　　Nora。Inwhatway？Youshallhaveyourmoneysoon。
　　Krogstad。Letmeaskyouaquestion；whydidyounotsendthepapertoyourfather？
　　Nora。Itwasimpossible；papawassoill。IfIhadaskedhimforhissignature，Ishouldhavehadtotellhimwhatthemoneywastobeusedfor；andwhenhewassoillhimselfIcouldn’ttellhimthatmyhusband’slifewasindanger——itwasimpossible。
　　Krogstad。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyouifyouhadgivenupyourtripabroad。
　　Nora。No，thatwasimpossible。Thattripwastosavemyhusband’slife；Icouldn’tgivethatup。
　　Krogstad。Butdiditneveroccurtoyouthatyouwerecommittingafraudonme？
　　Nora。Icouldn’ttakethatintoaccount；Ididn’ttroublemyselfaboutyouatall。Icouldn’tbearyou，becauseyouputsomanyheartlessdifficultiesinmyway，althoughyouknewwhatadangerousconditionmyhusbandwasin。
　　Krogstad。Mrs。Helmer，youevidentlydonotrealiseclearlywhatitisthatyouhavebeenguiltyof。ButIcanassureyouthatmyonefalsestep，whichlostmeallmyreputation，wasnothingmoreornothingworsethanwhatyouhavedone。
　　Nora。You？Doyouaskmetobelievethatyouwerebraveenoughtorunarisktosaveyourwife’slife？
　　Krogstad。Thelawcaresnothingaboutmotives。
　　Nora。Thenitmustbeaveryfoolishlaw。
　　Krogstad。Foolishornot，itisthelawbywhichyouwillbejudged，ifIproducethispaperincourt。
　　Nora。Idon’tbelieveit。Isadaughternottobeallowedtospareherdyingfatheranxietyandcare？Isawifenottobeallowedtosaveherhusband’slife？Idon’tknowmuchaboutlaw；
　　butIamcertainthattheremustbelawspermittingsuchthingsasthat。Haveyounoknowledgeofsuchlaws——youwhoarealawyer？Youmustbeaverypoorlawyer，Mr。Krogstad。
　　Krogstad。Maybe。Butmattersofbusiness——suchbusinessasyouandIhavehadtogether——doyouthinkIdon’tunderstandthat？
　　Verywell。Doasyouplease。Butletmetellyouthis——ifIlosemypositionasecondtime，youshallloseyourswithme。（Hebows，andgoesoutthroughthehall。）
　　Nora（appearsburiedinthoughtforashorttime，thentossesherhead）。Nonsense!Tryingtofrightenmelikethat!——Iamnotsosillyashethinks。（Beginstobusyherselfputtingthechildren’sthingsinorder。）Andyet——？No，it’simpossible!Ididitforlove’ssake。
　　TheChildren（inthedoorwayontheleft）。Mother，thestrangermanhasgoneoutthroughthegate。
　　Nora。Yes，dears，Iknow。But，don’ttellanyoneaboutthestrangerman。Doyouhear？Notevenpapa。
　　Children。No，mother；butwillyoucomeandplayagain？
　　Nora。No，no，——notnow。
　　Children。But，mother，youpromisedus。
　　Nora。Yes，butIcan’tnow。Runawayin；Ihavesuchalottodo。
　　Runawayin，mysweetlittledarlings。（Shegetsthemintotheroombydegreesandshutsthedooronthem；thensitsdownonthesofa，takesupapieceofneedleworkandsewsafewstitches，butsoonstops。）No!（Throwsdownthework，getsup，goestothehalldoorandcallsout。）Helen!bringtheTreein。（Goestothetableontheleft，opensadrawer，andstopsagain。）No，no!itisquiteimpossible!
　　Maid（cominginwiththeTree）。WhereshallIputit，ma’am？
　　Nora。Here，inthemiddleofthefloor。
　　Maid。ShallIgetyouanythingelse？
　　Nora。No，thankyou。IhaveallIwant。[ExitMAID。]
　　Nora（beginsdressingthetree）。Acandlehere—andflowershere——
　　Thehorribleman!It’sallnonsense——there’snothingwrong。Thetreeshallbesplendid!IwilldoeverythingIcanthinkoftopleaseyou，Torvald!——Iwillsingforyou，danceforyou——（HELMER
　　comesinwithsomepapersunderhisarm。）Oh!areyoubackalready？。
　　Helmer。Yes。Hasanyonebeenhere？
　　Nora。Here？No。
　　Helmer。Thatisstrange。IsawKrogstadgoingoutofthegate。
　　Nora。Didyou？Ohyes，Iforgot，Krogstadwashereforamoment。
　　Helmer。Nora，Icanseefromyourmannerthathehasbeenherebeggingyoutosayagoodwordforhim。
　　Nora。Yes。
　　Helmer。Andyouweretoappeartodoitofyourownaccord；youweretoconcealfrommethefactofhishavingbeenhere；didn’thebegthatofyoutoo？
　　Nora。Yes，Torvald，but——
　　Helmer。Nora，Nora，andyouwouldbeapartytothatsortofthing？Tohaveanytalkwithamanlikethat，andgivehimanysortofpromise？Andtotellmealieintothebargain？
　　Nora。Alie——？
　　Helmer。Didn’tyoutellmenoonehadbeenhere？（Shakeshisfingerather。）Mylittlesongbirdmustneverdothatagain。A
　　songbirdmusthaveacleanbeaktochirpwith——nofalsenotes!
　　（Putshisarmroundherwaist。）Thatisso，isn’tit？Yes，Iamsureitis。（Letshergo。）Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。（Sitsdownbythestove。）Howwarmandsnugitishere!（Turnsoverhispapers。）
　　Nora（afterashortpause，duringwhichshebusiesherselfwiththeChristmasTree。）Torvald!
　　Helmer。Yes。
　　Nora。Iamlookingforwardtremendouslytothefancy—dressballattheStenborgs’thedayaftertomorrow。
　　Helmer。AndIamtremendouslycurioustoseewhatyouaregoingtosurprisemewith。
　　Nora。Itwasverysillyofmetowanttodothat。
　　Helmer。Whatdoyoumean？
　　Nora。Ican’thituponanythingthatwilldo；everythingIthinkofseemssosillyandinsignificant。
　　Helmer。DoesmylittleNoraacknowledgethatatlast？
　　Nora（standingbehindhischairwithherarmsonthebackofit）。
　　Areyouverybusy，Torvald？
　　Helmer。Well——Nora。Whatareallthosepapers？
　　Helmer。Bankbusiness。
　　Nora。Already？
　　Helmer。Ihavegotauthorityfromtheretiringmanagertoundertakethenecessarychangesinthestaffandintherearrangementofthework；andImustmakeuseoftheChristmasweekforthat，soastohaveeverythinginorderforthenewyear。
　　Nora。ThenthatwaswhythispoorKrogstad——
　　Helmer。Hm!
　　Nora（leansagainstthebackofhischairandstrokeshishair）。
　　Ifyouhadn’tbeensobusyIshouldhaveaskedyouatremendouslybigfavour，Torvald。
　　Helmer。Whatisthat？Tellme。
　　Nora。Thereisnoonehassuchgoodtasteasyou。AndIdosowanttolookniceatthefancy—dressball。Torvald，couldn’tyoutakemeinhandanddecidewhatIshallgoas，andwhatsortofadressIshallwear？
　　Helmer。Aha!somyobstinatelittlewomanisobligedtogetsomeonetocometoherrescue？
　　Nora。Yes，Torvald，Ican’tgetalongabitwithoutyourhelp。
　　Helmer。Verywell，Iwillthinkitover，weshallmanagetohituponsomething。
　　Nora。Thatisniceofyou。（GoestotheChristmasTree。Ashortpause。）Howprettytheredflowerslook——。But，tellme，wasitreallysomethingverybadthatthisKrogstadwasguiltyof？
　　Helmer。Heforgedsomeone’sname。Haveyouanyideawhatthatmeans？
　　Nora。Isn’titpossiblethathewasdriventodoitbynecessity？
　　Helmer。Yes；or，asinsomanycases，byimprudence。Iamnotsoheartlessastocondemnamanaltogetherbecauseofasinglefalsestepofthatkind。
　　Nora。No，youwouldn’t，wouldyou，Torvald？
　　Helmer。Manyamanhasbeenabletoretrievehischaracter，ifhehasopenlyconfessedhisfaultandtakenhispunishment。
　　Nora。Punishment——？
　　Helmer。ButKrogstaddidnothingofthatsort；hegothimselfoutofitbyacunningtrick，andthatiswhyhehasgoneunderaltogether。
　　Nora。Butdoyouthinkitwould——？
　　Helmer。Justthinkhowaguiltymanlikethathastolieandplaythehypocritewitheveryone，howhehastowearamaskinthepresenceofthosenearanddeartohim，evenbeforehisownwifeandchildren。Andaboutthechildren——thatisthemostterriblepartofitall，Nora。
　　Nora。How？
　　Helmer。Becausesuchanatmosphereofliesinfectsandpoisonsthewholelifeofahome。Eachbreaththechildrentakeinsuchahouseisfullofthegermsofevil。
　　Nora（comingnearerhim）。Areyousureofthat？
　　Helmer。Mydear，Ihaveoftenseenitinthecourseofmylifeasalawyer。Almosteveryonewhohasgonetothebadearlyinlifehashadadeceitfulmother。
　　Nora。Whydoyouonlysay——mother？
　　Helmer。Itseemsmostcommonlytobethemother’sinfluence，thoughnaturallyabadfather’swouldhavethesameresult。Everylawyerisfamiliarwiththefact。ThisKrogstad，now，hasbeenpersistentlypoisoninghisownchildrenwithliesanddissimulation；thatiswhyIsayhehaslostallmoralcharacter。
　　（Holdsouthishandstoher。）ThatiswhymysweetlittleNoramustpromisemenottopleadhiscause。Givemeyourhandonit。
　　Come，come，whatisthis？Givemeyourhand。Therenow，that’ssettled。Iassureyouitwouldbequiteimpossibleformetoworkwithhim；IliterallyfeelphysicallyillwhenIaminthecompanyofsuchpeople。
　　Nora（takesherhandoutofhisandgoestotheoppositesideoftheChristmasTree）。Howhotitisinhere；andIhavesuchalottodo。
　　Helmer（gettingupandputtinghispapersinorder）。Yes，andI
　　musttryandreadthroughsomeofthesebeforedinner；andImustthinkaboutyourcostume，too。AnditisjustpossibleImayhavesomethingreadyingoldpapertohangupontheTree。（Putshishandonherhead。）Mypreciouslittlesinging—bird!（Hegoesintohisroomandshutsthedoorafterhim。）
　　Nora（afterapause，whispers）。No，no——itisn’ttrue。It’simpossible；itmustbeimpossible。
　　（TheNURSEopensthedoorontheleft。）
　　Nurse。Thelittleonesarebeggingsohardtobeallowedtocomeintomamma。
　　Nora。No，no，no!Don’tletthemcomeintome!Youstaywiththem，Anne。
　　Nurse。Verywell，ma’am。（Shutsthedoor。）
　　Nora（palewithterror）。Depravemylittlechildren？Poisonmyhome？（Ashortpause。Thenshetossesherhead。）It’snottrue。
　　Itcan’tpossiblybetrue。
　　ACTII
　　（THESAMESCENE。——THEChristmasTreeisinthecornerbythepiano，strippedofitsornamentsandwithburnt—downcandle—endsonitsdishevelledbranches。NORA’Scloakandhatarelyingonthesofa。Sheisaloneintheroom，walkingaboutuneasily。Shestopsbythesofaandtakesuphercloak。）
　　Nora（dropshercloak）。Someoneiscomingnow!（Goestothedoorandlistens。）No——itisnoone。Ofcourse，noonewillcometoday，ChristmasDay——nortomorroweither。But，perhaps——（opensthedoorandlooksout）。No，nothingintheletterbox；itisquiteempty。（Comesforward。）Whatrubbish!ofcoursehecan’tbeinearnestaboutit。Suchathingcouldn’thappen；itisimpossible——Ihavethreelittlechildren。
　　（EntertheNURSEfromtheroomontheleft，carryingabigcardboardbox。）
　　Nurse。AtlastIhavefoundtheboxwiththefancydress。
　　Nora。Thanks；putitonthetable。
　　Nurse（doingso）。Butitisverymuchinwantofmending。
　　Nora。Ishouldliketotearitintoahundredthousandpieces。
　　Nurse。Whatanidea!Itcaneasilybeputinorder——justalittlepatience。
　　Nora。Yes，IwillgoandgetMrs。Lindetocomeandhelpmewithit。
　　Nurse。What，outagain？Inthishorribleweather？Youwillcatchcold，ma’am，andmakeyourselfill。
　　Nora。Well，worsethanthatmighthappen。Howarethechildren？
　　Nurse。ThepoorlittlesoulsareplayingwiththeirChristmaspresents，but——
　　Nora。Dotheyaskmuchforme？
　　Nurse。Yousee，theyaresoaccustomedtohavetheirmammawiththem。
　　Nora。Yes，but，nurse，IshallnotbeabletobesomuchwiththemnowasIwasbefore。
　　Nurse。Ohwell，youngchildreneasilygetaccustomedtoanything。
　　Nora。Doyouthinkso？Doyouthinktheywouldforgettheirmotherifshewentawayaltogether？
　　Nurse。Goodheavens!——wentawayaltogether？
　　Nora。Nurse，IwantyoutotellmesomethingIhaveoftenwonderedabout——howcouldyouhavethehearttoputyourownchildoutamongstrangers？
　　Nurse。Iwasobligedto，ifIwantedtobelittleNora’snurse。
　　Nora。Yes，buthowcouldyoubewillingtodoit？
　　Nurse。What，whenIwasgoingtogetsuchagoodplacebyit？A
　　poorgirlwhohasgotintotroubleshouldbegladto。Besides，thatwickedmandidn’tdoasinglethingforme。
　　Nora。ButIsupposeyourdaughterhasquiteforgottenyou。
　　Nurse。No，indeedshehasn’t。Shewrotetomewhenshewasconfirmed，andwhenshewasmarried。
　　Nora（puttingherarmsroundherneck）。DearoldAnne，youwereagoodmothertomewhenIwaslittle。
　　Nurse。LittleNora，poordear，hadnoothermotherbutme。Nora。
　　Andifmylittleoneshadnoothermother，Iamsureyouwould——
　　WhatnonsenseIamtalking!（Opensthebox。）Gointothem。NowI
　　must——。YouwillseetomorrowhowcharmingIshalllook。
　　Nurse。Iamsuretherewillbenooneattheballsocharmingasyou，ma’am。（Goesintotheroomontheleft。）
　　Nora（beginstounpackthebox，butsoonpushesitawayfromher）。IfonlyIdaredgoout。Ifonlynoonewouldcome。IfonlyIcouldbesurenothingwouldhappenhereinthemeantime。Stuffandnonsense!Noonewillcome。OnlyImustn’tthinkaboutit。I
　　willbrushmymuff。Whatlovely，lovelygloves!Outofmythoughts，outofmythoughts!One，two，three，four，five，six——
　　（Screams。）Ah!thereissomeonecoming——。（Makesamovementtowardsthedoor，butstandsirresolute。）
　　（EnterMRS。LINDEfromthehall，whereshehastakenoffhercloakandhat。）
　　Nora。Oh，it’syou，Christine。Thereisnooneelseoutthere，isthere？Howgoodofyoutocome!
　　Mrs。Linde。Iheardyouwereupaskingforme。
　　Nora。Yes，Iwaspassingby。Asamatteroffact，itissomethingyoucouldhelpmewith。Letussitdownhereonthesofa。Lookhere。Tomorroweveningthereistobeafancy—dressballattheStenborgs’，wholiveaboveus；andTorvaldwantsmetogoasaNeapolitanfisher—girl，anddancetheTarantellathatIlearnedatCapri。
　　Mrs。Linde。Isee；youaregoingtokeepupthecharacter。
　　Nora。Yes，Torvaldwantsmeto。Look，hereisthedress；Torvaldhaditmadeformethere，butnowitisallsotorn，andIhaven’tanyidea——
　　Mrs。Linde。Wewilleasilyputthatright。Itisonlysomeofthetrimmingcomeunsewnhereandthere。Needleandthread？Nowthen，that’sallwewant。
　　Nora。Itisniceofyou。
　　Mrs。Linde（sewing）。SoyouaregoingtobedresseduptomorrowNora。Iwilltellyouwhat——Ishallcomeinforamomentandseeyouinyourfinefeathers。ButIhavecompletelyforgottentothankyouforadelightfuleveningyesterday。
　　Nora（getsup，andcrossesthestage）。Well，Idon’tthinkyesterdaywasaspleasantasusual。Yououghttohavecometotownalittleearlier，Christine。CertainlyTorvalddoesunderstandhowtomakeahousedaintyandattractive。
　　Mrs。Linde。Andsodoyou，itseemstome；youarenotyourfather’sdaughterfornothing。Buttellme，isDoctorRankalwaysasdepressedashewasyesterday？
　　Nora。No；yesterdayitwasverynoticeable。Imusttellyouthathesuffersfromaverydangerousdisease。Hehasconsumptionofthespine，poorcreature。Hisfatherwasahorriblemanwhocommittedallsortsofexcesses；andthatiswhyhissonwassicklyfromchildhood，doyouunderstand？
　　Mrs。Linde（droppinghersewing）。But，mydearestNora，howdoyouknowanythingaboutsuchthings？
　　Nora（walkingabout）。Pooh!Whenyouhavethreechildren，yougetvisitsnowandthenfrom——frommarriedwomen，whoknowsomethingofmedicalmatters，andtheytalkaboutonethingandanother。
　　Mrs。Linde（goesonsewing。Ashortsilence）。DoesDoctorRankcomehereeveryday？
　　Nora。Everydayregularly。HeisTorvald’smostintimatefriend，andagreatfriendofminetoo。Heisjustlikeoneofthefamily。
　　Mrs。Linde。Buttellmethis——isheperfectlysincere？Imean，isn’thethekindofmanthatisveryanxioustomakehimselfagreeable？
　　Nora。Notintheleast。Whatmakesyouthinkthat？
　　Mrs。Linde。Whenyouintroducedhimtomeyesterday，hedeclaredhehadoftenheardmynamementionedinthishouse；butafterwardsI
　　noticedthatyourhusbandhadn’ttheslightestideawhoIwas。
　　SohowcouldDoctorRank——？
　　Nora。Thatisquiteright，Christine。Torvaldissoabsurdlyfondofmethathewantsmeabsolutelytohimself，ashesays。AtfirstheusedtoseemalmostjealousifImentionedanyofthedearfolkathome，sonaturallyIgaveupdoingso。ButIoftentalkaboutsuchthingswithDoctorRank，becausehelikeshearingaboutthem。
　　Mrs。Linde。Listentome，Nora。Youarestillverylikeachildinmanythings，andIamolderthanyouinmanywaysandhavealittlemoreexperience。Letmetellyouthis——yououghttomakeanendofitwithDoctorRank。
　　Nora。WhatoughtItomakeanendof？
　　Mrs。Linde。Oftwothings，Ithink。Yesterdayyoutalkedsomenonsenseaboutarichadmirerwhowastoleaveyoumoney——
　　Nora。Anadmirerwhodoesn’texist，unfortunately!Butwhatthen？
　　Mrs。Linde。IsDoctorRankamanofmeans？
　　Nora。Yes，heis。
　　Mrs。Linde。Andhasnoonetoprovidefor？
　　Nora。No，noone；but——
　　Mrs。Linde。Andcomeshereeveryday？
　　Nora。Yes，Itoldyouso。
　　Mrs。Linde。Buthowcanthiswell—bredmanbesotactless？
　　Nora。Idon’tunderstandyouatall。
　　Mrs。Linde。Don’tprevaricate，Nora。DoyousupposeIdon’tguesswholentyouthetwohundredandfiftypounds？
　　Nora。Areyououtofyoursenses？Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing!
　　Afriendofours，whocomeshereeveryday!Doyourealisewhatahorriblypainfulpositionthatwouldbe？
　　Mrs。Linde。Thenitreallyisn’the？
　　Nora。No，certainlynot。Itwouldneverhaveenteredintomyheadforamoment。Besides，hehadnomoneytolendthen；hecameintohismoneyafterwards。
　　Mrs。Linde。Well，Ithinkthatwasluckyforyou，mydearNora。
　　Nora。No，itwouldneverhavecomeintomyheadtoaskDoctorRank。AlthoughIamquitesurethatifIhadaskedhim——
　　Mrs。Linde。Butofcourseyouwon’t。
　　Nora。Ofcoursenot。Ihavenoreasontothinkitcouldpossiblybenecessary。ButIamquitesurethatifItoldDoctorRank——
　　Mrs。Linde。Behindyourhusband’sback？
　　Nora。Imustmakeanendofitwiththeotherone，andthatwillbebehindhisbacktoo。Imustmakeanendofitwithhim。
　　Mrs。Linde。Yes，thatiswhatItoldyouyesterday，but——
　　Nora（walkingupanddown）。Amancanputathinglikethatstraightmucheasierthanawoman——
　　Mrs。Linde。One’shusband，yes。
　　Nora。Nonsense!（Standingstill。）Whenyoupayoffadebtyougetyourbondback，don’tyou？
　　Mrs。Linde。Yes，asamatterofcourse。
　　Nora。Andcantearitintoahundredthousandpieces，andburnitup——thenastydirtypaper!
　　Mrs。Linde（lookshardather，laysdownhersewingandgetsupslowly）。Nora，youareconcealingsomethingfromme。
　　Nora。DoIlookasifIwere？
　　Mrs。Linde。Somethinghashappenedtoyousinceyesterdaymorning。
　　Nora，whatisit？
　　Nora（goingnearertoher）。Christine!（Listens。）Hush!there’sTorvaldcomehome。Doyoumindgoingintothechildrenforthepresent？Torvaldcan’tbeartoseedressmakinggoingon。LetAnnehelpyou。
　　Mrs。Linde（gatheringsomeofthethingstogether）。Certainly——
　　butIamnotgoingawayfromhereuntilwehavehaditoutwithoneanother。（Shegoesintotheroomontheleft，asHELMERcomesinfromthehail。）
　　Nora（goinguptoHELMER）。Ihavewantedyousomuch，Torvalddear。
　　Helmer。Wasthatthedressmaker？
　　Nora。No，itwasChristine；sheishelpingmetoputmydressinorder。YouwillseeIshalllookquitesmart。
　　Helmer。Wasn’tthatahappythoughtofmine，now？
　　Nora。Splendid!Butdon’tyouthinkitisniceofme，too，todoasyouwish？
　　Helmer。Nice？——becauseyoudoasyourhusbandwishes？Well，well，youlittlerogue，Iamsureyoudidnotmeanitinthatway。ButIamnotgoingtodisturbyou；youwillwanttobetryingonyourdress，Iexpect。
　　Nora。Isupposeyouaregoingtowork。
　　Helmer。Yes。（Showsherabundleofpapers。）Lookatthat。Ihavejustbeenintothebank。（Turnstogointohisroom。）
　　Nora。Torvald。
　　Helmer。Yes。
　　Nora。Ifyourlittlesquirrelweretoaskyouforsomethingvery，veryprettily——？
　　Helmer。Whatthen？
　　Nora。Wouldyoudoit？
　　Helmer。Ishouldliketohearwhatitis，first。
　　Nora。Yoursquirrelwouldrunaboutanddoallhertricksifyouwouldbenice，anddowhatshewants。
　　Helmer。Speakplainly。
　　Nora。Yourskylarkwouldchirpaboutineveryroom，withhersongrisingandfalling——
　　Helmer。Well，myskylarkdoesthatanyhow。
　　Nora。Iwouldplaythefairyanddanceforyouinthemoonlight，Torvald。
　　Helmer。Nora——yousurelydon’tmeanthatrequestyoumadetomethismorning？
　　Nora（goingnearhim）。Yes，Torvald，Ibegyousoearnestly——
　　Helmer。Haveyoureallythecouragetoopenupthatquestionagain？
　　Nora。Yes，dear，youmustdoasIask；youmustletKrogstadkeephispostinthebank。
　　Helmer。MydearNora，itishispostthatIhavearrangedMrs。
　　Lindeshallhave。
　　Nora。Yes，youhavebeenawfullykindaboutthat；butyoucouldjustaswelldismisssomeotherclerkinsteadofKrogstad。
　　Helmer。Thisissimplyincredibleobstinacy!Becauseyouchosetogivehimathoughtlesspromisethatyouwouldspeakforhim，Iamexpectedto——
　　Nora。Thatisn’tthereason，Torvald。Itisforyourownsake。
　　Thisfellowwritesinthemostscurrilousnewspapers；youhavetoldmesoyourself。Hecandoyouanunspeakableamountofharm。
　　Iamfrightenedtodeathofhim——
　　Helmer。Ah，Iunderstand；itisrecollectionsofthepastthatscareyou。
　　Nora。Whatdoyoumean？
　　Helmer。Naturallyyouarethinkingofyourfather。
　　Nora。Yes——yes，ofcourse。Justrecalltoyourmindwhatthesemaliciouscreatureswroteinthepapersaboutpapa，andhowhorriblytheyslanderedhim。IbelievetheywouldhaveprocuredhisdismissaliftheDepartmenthadnotsentyouovertoinquireintoit，andifyouhadnotbeensokindlydisposedandhelpfultohim。
　　Helmer。MylittleNora，thereisanimportantdifferencebetweenyourfatherandme。Yourfather’sreputationasapublicofficialwasnotabovesuspicion。Mineis，andIhopeitwillcontinuetobeso，aslongasIholdmyoffice。
　　Nora。Younevercantellwhatmischiefthesemenmaycontrive。Weoughttobesowelloff，sosnugandhappyhereinourpeacefulhome，andhavenocares——youandIandthechildren，Torvald!
　　ThatiswhyIbegyousoearnestly——
　　Helmer。Anditisjustbyintercedingforhimthatyoumakeitimpossibleformetokeephim。ItisalreadyknownattheBankthatImeantodismissKrogstad。Isittogetaboutnowthatthenewmanagerhaschangedhismindathiswife’sbidding——
　　Nora。Andwhatifitdid？
　　Helmer。Ofcourse!——ifonlythisobstinatelittlepersoncangetherway!DoyousupposeIamgoingtomakemyselfridiculousbeforemywholestaff，toletpeoplethinkthatIamamantobeswayedbyallsortsofoutsideinfluence？Ishouldverysoonfeeltheconsequencesofit，Icantellyou!Andbesides，thereisonethingthatmakesitquiteimpossibleformetohaveKrogstadintheBankaslongasIammanager。
　　Nora。Whateveristhat？
　　Helmer。HismoralfailingsImightperhapshaveoverlooked，ifnecessary——
　　Nora。Yes，youcould——couldn’tyou？
　　Helmer。AndIhearheisagoodworker，too。ButIknewhimwhenwewereboys。Itwasoneofthoserashfriendshipsthatsooftenproveanincubusinafterlife。Imayaswelltellyouplainly，wewereonceonveryintimatetermswithoneanother。Butthistactlessfellowlaysnorestraintonhimselfwhenotherpeoplearepresent。Onthecontrary，hethinksitgiveshimtherighttoadoptafamiliartonewithme，andeveryminuteitis"Isay，Helmer，oldfellow!"andthatsortofthing。Iassureyouitisextremelypainfulforme。HewouldmakemypositionintheBankintolerable。
　　Nora。Torvald，Idon’tbelieveyoumeanthat。
　　Helmer。Don’tyou？Whynot？
　　Nora。Becauseitissuchanarrow—mindedwayoflookingatthings。
　　Helmer。Whatareyousaying？Narrow—minded？DoyouthinkIamnarrow—minded？
　　Nora。No，justtheopposite，dear——anditisexactlyforthatreason。
　　Helmer。It’sthesamething。Yousaymypointofviewisnarrow—
　　minded，soImustbesotoo。Narrow—minded!Verywell——Imustputanendtothis。（Goestothehalldoorandcalls。）Helen!
　　Nora。Whatareyougoingtodo？
　　Helmer（lookingamonghispapers）。Settleit。（EnterMAID。）Lookhere；takethisletterandgodownstairswithitatonce。Findamessengerandtellhimtodeliverit，andbequick。Theaddressisonit，andhereisthemoney。
　　Maid。Verywell，sir。（Exitwiththeletter。）
　　Helmer（puttinghispaperstogether）。Nowthen，littleMissObstinate。
　　Nora（breathlessly）。Torvald——whatwasthatletter？
　　Helmer。Krogstad’sdismissal。
　　Nora。Callherback，Torvald!Thereisstilltime。OhTorvald，callherback!Doitformysake——foryourownsake——forthechildren’ssake!Doyouhearme，Torvald？Callherback!Youdon’tknowwhatthatlettercanbringuponus。
　　Helmer。It’stoolate。
　　Nora。Yes，it’stoolate。
　　Helmer。MydearNora，Icanforgivetheanxietyyouarein，althoughreallyitisaninsulttome。Itis，indeed。Isn’titaninsulttothinkthatIshouldbeafraidofastarvingquill—driver’svengeance？ButIforgiveyounevertheless，becauseitissucheloquentwitnesstoyourgreatloveforme。（Takesherinhisarms。）Andthatisasitshouldbe，myowndarlingNora。Comewhatwill，youmaybesureIshallhavebothcourageandstrengthiftheybeneeded。YouwillseeIammanenoughtotakeeverythinguponmyself。
　　Nora（inahorror—strickenvoice）。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
　　Helmer。Everything，Isay——
　　Nora（recoveringherself）。Youwillneverhavetodothat。
　　Helmer。That’sright。Well，wewillshareit，Nora，asmanandwifeshould。Thatishowitshallbe。（Caressingher。）
　　Areyoucontentnow？There!There!——notthesefrighteneddove’seyes!Thewholethingisonlythewildestfancy!——Now，youmustgoandplaythroughtheTarantellaandpractisewithyourtambourine。Ishallgointotheinnerofficeandshutthedoor，andIshallhearnothing；youcanmakeasmuchnoiseasyouplease。（Turnsbackatthedoor。）AndwhenRankcomes，tellhimwherehewillfindme。（Nodstoher，takeshispapersandgoesintohisroom，andshutsthedoorafterhim。）
　　Nora（bewilderedwithanxiety，standsasifrootedtothespot，andwhispers）。Hewascapableofdoingit。Hewilldoit。Hewilldoitinspiteofeverything。——No，notthat!Never，never!
　　AnythingratherthanthatIOh，forsomehelp，somewayoutofit!（Thedoor—bellrings。）DoctorRank!Anythingratherthanthat——anything，whateveritis!（Sheputsherhandsoverherface，pullsherselftogether，goestothedoorandopensit。RANK
　　isstandingwithout，hanginguphiscoat。Duringthefollowingdialogueitbeginstogrowdark。）
　　Nora。Goodday，DoctorRank。Iknewyourring。Butyoumustn’tgointoTorvaldnow；Ithinkheisbusywithsomething。
　　Rank。Andyou？
　　Nora（bringshiminandshutsthedoorafterhim）。Oh，youknowverywellIalwayshavetimeforyou。
　　Rank。Thankyou。IshallmakeuseofasmuchofitasIcan。
　　Nora。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Asmuchofitasyoucan？
　　Rank。Well，doesthatalarmyou？
　　Nora。Itwassuchastrangewayofputtingit。Isanythinglikelytohappen？
　　Rank。NothingbutwhatIhavelongbeenpreparedfor。ButI
　　certainlydidn’texpectittohappensosoon。
　　Nora（grippinghimbythearm）。Whathaveyoufoundout？DoctorRank，youmusttellme。
　　Rank（sittingdownbythestove）。Itisallupwithme。Anditcan’tbehelped。
　　Nora（withasighofrelief）。Isitaboutyourself？
　　Rank。Whoelse？Itisnouselyingtoone’sself。Iamthemostwretchedofallmypatients，Mrs。Helmer。LatelyIhavebeentakingstockofmyinternaleconomy。Bankrupt!ProbablywithinamonthIshalllierottinginthechurchyard。
　　Nora。Whatanuglythingtosay!
　　Rank。Thethingitselfiscursedlyugly，andtheworstofitisthatIshallhavetofacesomuchmorethatisuglybeforethat。
　　Ishallonlymakeonemoreexaminationofmyself；whenIhavedonethat，Ishallknowprettycertainlywhenitwillbethatthehorrorsofdissolutionwillbegin。ThereissomethingIwanttotellyou。Helmer’srefinednaturegiveshimanunconquerabledisgustateverythingthatisugly；Iwon’thavehiminmysick—
　　room。
　　Nora。Oh，but，DoctorRank——
　　Rank。Iwon’thavehimthere。Notonanyaccount。Ibarmydoortohim。AssoonasIamquitecertainthattheworsthascome，I
　　shallsendyoumycardwithablackcrossonit，andthenyouwillknowthattheloathsomeendhasbegun。
　　Nora。Youarequiteabsurdtoday。AndIwantedyousomuchtobeinareallygoodhumour。
　　Rank。Withdeathstalkingbesideme？——Tohavetopaythispenaltyforanotherman’ssin？Isthereanyjusticeinthat？Andineverysinglefamily，inonewayoranother，somesuchinexorableretributionisbeingexacted——
　　Nora（puttingherhandsoverherears）。Rubbish!Dotalkofsomethingcheerful。
　　Rank。Oh，it’samerelaughingmatter，thewholething。Mypoorinnocentspinehastosufferformyfather’syouthfulamusements。
　　Nora（sittingatthetableontheleft）。Isupposeyoumeanthathewastoopartialtoasparagusandpatedefoiegras，don’tyou？
　　Rank。Yes，andtotruffles。
　　Nora。Truffles，yes。Andoysterstoo，Isuppose？
　　Rank。Oysters，ofcourse，thatgoeswithoutsaying。
　　Nora。Andheapsofportandchampagne。Itissadthatallthesenicethingsshouldtaketheirrevengeonourbones。
　　Rank。Especiallythattheyshouldrevengethemselvesontheunluckybonesofthosewhohavenothadthesatisfactionofenjoyingthem。
　　Nora。Yes，that’sthesaddestpartofitall。
　　Rank（withasearchinglookather）。Hm!——
　　Nora（afterashortpause）。Whydidyousmile？
　　Rank。No，itwasyouthatlaughed。
　　Nora。No，itwasyouthatsmiled，DoctorRank!
　　Rank（rising）。YouareagreaterrascalthanIthought。
　　Nora。Iaminasillymoodtoday。
　　Rank。Soitseems。
　　Nora（puttingherhandsonhisshoulders）。Dear，dearDoctorRank，deathmustn’ttakeyouawayfromTorvaldandme。
　　Rank。Itisalossyouwouldeasilyrecoverfrom。Thosewhoaregonearesoonforgotten。
　　Nora（lookingathimanxiously）。Doyoubelievethat？
　　Rank。Peopleformnewties，andthen——
　　Nora。Whowillformnewties？
　　Rank。BothyouandHelmer，whenIamgone。Youyourselfarealreadyonthehighroadtoit，Ithink。WhatdidthatMrs。Lindewantherelastnight？
　　Nora。Oho!——youdon’tmeantosayyouarejealousofpoorChristine？
　　Rank。Yes，Iam。Shewillbemysuccessorinthishouse。WhenI
　　amdonefor，thiswomanwill——
　　Nora。Hush!don’tspeaksoloud。Sheisinthatroom。
　　Rank。Todayagain。There，yousee。
　　Nora。Shehasonlycometosewmydressforme。Blessmysoul，howunreasonableyouare!（Sitsdownonthesofa。）Benicenow，DoctorRank，andtomorrowyouwillseehowbeautifullyIshalldance，andyoucanimagineIamdoingitallforyou——andforTorvaldtoo，ofcourse。（Takesvariousthingsoutofthebox。）
　　DoctorRank，comeandsitdownhere，andIwillshowyousomething。
　　Rank（sittingdown）。Whatisit？
　　Nora。Justlookatthose!
　　Rank。Silkstockings。
　　Nora。Flesh—coloured。Aren’ttheylovely？Itissodarkherenow，buttomorrow——。No，no，no!youmustonlylookatthefeet。Ohwell，youmayhaveleavetolookatthelegstoo。
　　Rank。Hm!——Nora。Whyareyoulookingsocritical？Don’tyouthinktheywillfitme？
　　Rank。Ihavenomeansofforminganopinionaboutthat。
　　Nora（looksathimforamoment）。Forshame!（Hitshimlightlyontheearwiththestockings。）That’stopunishyou。（Foldsthemupagain。）
　　Rank。AndwhatothernicethingsamItobeallowedtosee？
　　Nora。Notasinglethingmore，forbeingsonaughty。（Shelooksamongthethings，hummingtoherself。）
　　Rank（afterashortsilence）。WhenIamsittinghere，talkingtoyouasintimatelyasthis，IcannotimagineforamomentwhatwouldhavebecomeofmeifIhadnevercomeintothishouse。
　　Nora（smiling）。Ibelieveyoudofeelthoroughlyathomewithus。
　　Rank（inalowervoice，lookingstraightinfrontofhim）。Andtobeobligedtoleaveitall——
　　Nora。Nonsense，youarenotgoingtoleaveit。
　　Rank（asbefore）。Andnotbeabletoleavebehindonetheslightesttokenofone’sgratitude，scarcelyevenafleetingregret——nothingbutanemptyplacewhichthefirstcomercanfillaswellasanyother。
　　Nora。AndifIaskedyounowfora——？No!
　　Rank。Forwhat？
　　Nora。Forabigproofofyourfriendship——
　　Rank。Yes，yes!
　　Nora。Imeanatremendouslybigfavour——
　　Rank。Wouldyoureallymakemesohappyforonce？
　　Nora。Ah，butyoudon’tknowwhatitisyet。
　　Rank。No——buttellme。
　　Nora。Ireallycan’t，DoctorRank。Itissomethingoutofallreason；itmeansadvice，andhelp，andafavour——
　　Rank。Thebiggerathingitisthebetter。Ican’tconceivewhatitisyoumean。Dotellme。Haven’tIyourconfidence？
　　Nora。Morethananyoneelse。Iknowyouaremytruestandbestfriend，andsoIwilltellyouwhatitis。Well，DoctorRank，itissomethingyoumusthelpmetoprevent。Youknowhowdevotedly，howinexpressiblydeeplyTorvaldlovesme；hewouldneverforamomenthesitatetogivehislifeforme。
　　Rank（leaningtowardsher）。Nora——doyouthinkheistheonlyone——？
　　Nora（withaslightstart）。Theonlyone——？
　　Rank。Theonlyonewhowouldgladlygivehislifeforyoursake。
　　Nora（sadly）。Isthatit？
　　Rank。IwasdeterminedyoushouldknowitbeforeIwentaway，andtherewillneverbeabetteropportunitythanthis。Nowyouknowit，Nora。Andnowyouknow，too，thatyoucantrustmeasyouwouldtrustnooneelse。
　　Nora（rises，deliberatelyandquietly）。Letmepass。
　　Rank（makesroomforhertopasshim，butsitsstill）。Nora!
　　Nora（atthehalldoor）。Helen，bringinthelamp。（Goesovertothestove。）DearDoctorRank，thatwasreallyhorridofyou。
　　Rank。Tohavelovedyouasmuchasanyoneelsedoes？Wasthathorrid？
　　Nora。No，buttogoandtellmeso。Therewasreallynoneed——
　　Rank。Whatdoyoumean？Didyouknow——？（MAIDenterswithlamp，putsitdownonthetable，andgoesout。）Nora——Mrs。Helmer——tellme，hadyouanyideaofthis？
　　Nora。Oh，howdoIknowwhetherIhadorwhetherIhadn’t？I
　　reallycan’ttellyou——Tothinkyoucouldbesoclumsy，DoctorRank!
　　Weweregettingonsonicely。
　　Rank。Well，atalleventsyouknownowthatyoucancommandme，bodyandsoul。Sowon’tyouspeakout？
　　Nora（lookingathim）。Afterwhathappened？
　　Rank。Ibegyoutoletmeknowwhatitis。
　　Nora。Ican’ttellyouanythingnow。
　　Rank。Yes，yes。Youmustn’tpunishmeinthatway。Letmehavepermissiontodoforyouwhateveramanmaydo。
　　Nora。Youcandonothingformenow。Besides，Ireallydon’tneedanyhelpatall。Youwillfindthatthewholethingismerelyfancyonmypart。Itreallyisso——ofcourseitis!（Sitsdownintherocking—chair，andlooksathimwithasmile。）Youareanicesortofman，DoctorRank!——don’tyoufeelashamedofyourself，nowthelamphascome？
　　Rank。Notabit。ButperhapsIhadbettergo——forever？
　　Nora。No，indeed，youshallnot。Ofcourseyoumustcomeherejustasbefore。YouknowverywellTorvaldcan’tdowithoutyou。
　　Rank。Yes，butyou？
　　Nora。Oh，Iamalwaystremendouslypleasedwhenyoucome。
　　Rank。Itisjustthat，thatputmeonthewrongtrack。Youareariddletome。IhaveoftenthoughtthatyouwouldalmostassoonbeinmycompanyasinHelmer’s。
　　Nora。Yes——youseetherearesomepeopleonelovesbest，andotherswhomonewouldalmostalwaysratherhaveascompanions。
　　Rank。Yes，thereissomethinginthat。
　　Nora。WhenIwasathome，ofcourseIlovedpapabest。ButI
　　alwaysthoughtittremendousfunifIcouldstealdownintothemaids’room，becausetheynevermoralisedatall，andtalkedtoeachotheraboutsuchentertainingthings。
　　Rank。Isee——itistheirplaceIhavetaken。
　　Nora（jumpingupandgoingtohim）。Oh，dear，niceDoctorRank，I
　　nevermeantthatatall。ButsurelyyoucanunderstandthatbeingwithTorvaldisalittlelikebeingwithpapa——（EnterMAIDfromthehall。）
　　Maid。Ifyouplease，ma’am。（Whispersandhandsheracard。）
　　Nora（glancingatthecard）。Oh!（Putsitinherpocket。）
　　Rank。Isthereanythingwrong？
　　Nora。No，no，notintheleast。Itisonlysomething——itismynewdress——
　　Rank。What？Yourdressislyingthere。
　　Nora。Oh，yes，thatone；butthisisanother。Iorderedit。
　　Torvaldmustn’tknowaboutit——
　　Rank。Oho!Thenthatwasthegreatsecret。
　　Nora。Ofcourse。Justgointohim；heissittingintheinnerroom。Keephimaslongas——
　　Rank。Makeyourmindeasy；Iwon’tlethimescape。
　　（GoesintoHELMER’Sroom。）
　　Nora（totheMAID）。Andheisstandingwaitinginthekitchen？
　　Maid。Yes；hecameupthebackstairs。
　　Nora。Butdidn’tyoutellhimnoonewasin？
　　Maid。Yes，butitwasnogood。
　　Nora。Hewon’tgoaway？
　　Maid。No；hesayshewon’tuntilhehasseenyou，ma’am。
　　Nora。Well，lethimcomein——butquietly。Helen，youmustn’tsayanythingaboutittoanyone。Itisasurpriseformyhusband。
　　Maid。Yes，ma’am，Iquiteunderstand。（Exit。）
　　Nora。Thisdreadfulthingisgoingtohappen!Itwillhappeninspiteofme!No，no，no，itcan’thappen——itshan’thappen!（SheboltsthedoorofHELMER’Sroom。TheMAIDopensthehalldoorforKROGSTADandshutsitafterhim。Heiswearingafurcoat，highbootsandafurcap。）
　　Nora（advancingtowardshim）。Speaklow——myhusbandisathome。
　　Krogstad。Nomatteraboutthat。
　　Nora。Whatdoyouwantofme？
　　Krogstad。Anexplanationofsomething。
　　Nora。Makehastethen。Whatisit？
　　Krogstad。Youknow，Isuppose，thatIhavegotmydismissal。
　　Nora。Icouldn’tpreventit，Mr。Krogstad。IfoughtashardasI
　　couldonyourside，butitwasnogood。
　　Krogstad。Doesyourhusbandloveyousolittle，then？HeknowswhatIcanexposeyouto，andyetheventures——
　　Nora。Howcanyousupposethathehasanyknowledgeofthesort？
　　Krogstad。Ididn’tsupposesoatall。ItwouldnotbetheleastlikeourdearTorvaldHelmertoshowsomuchcourage——
　　Nora。Mr。Krogstad，alittlerespectformyhusband，please。
　　Krogstad。Certainly——alltherespecthedeserves。Butsinceyouhavekeptthemattersocarefullytoyourself，Imakeboldtosupposethatyouhavealittlecleareridea，thanyouhadyesterday，ofwhatitactuallyisthatyouhavedone？
　　Nora。Morethanyoucouldeverteachme。
　　Krogstad。Yes，suchabadlawyerasIam。
　　Nora。Whatisityouwantofme？
　　Krogstad。Onlytoseehowyouwere，Mrs。Helmer。Ihavebeenthinkingaboutyoualldaylong。Amerecashier，aquill—driver，a——well，amanlikeme——evenhehasalittleofwhatiscalledfeeling，youknow。
　　Nora。Showit，then；thinkofmylittlechildren。
　　Krogstad。Haveyouandyourhusbandthoughtofmine？Butnevermindaboutthat。Ionlywantedtotellyouthatyouneednottakethismattertooseriously。Inthefirstplacetherewillbenoaccusationmadeonmypart。
　　Nora。No，ofcoursenot；Iwassureofthat。
　　Krogstad。Thewholethingcanbearrangedamicably；thereisnoreasonwhyanyoneshouldknowanythingaboutit。Itwillremainasecretbetweenusthree。
　　Nora。Myhusbandmustnevergettoknowanythingaboutit。
　　Krogstad。Howwillyoubeabletopreventit？AmItounderstandthatyoucanpaythebalancethatisowing？
　　Nora。No，notjustatpresent。
　　Krogstad。Orperhapsthatyouhavesomeexpedientforraisingthemoneysoon？
　　Nora。NoexpedientthatImeantomakeuseof。
　　Krogstad。Well，inanycase，itwouldhavebeenofnousetoyounow。Ifyoustoodtherewitheversomuchmoneyinyourhand，I
　　wouldneverpartwithyourbond。
　　Nora。Tellmewhatpurposeyoumeantoputitto。
　　Krogstad。Ishallonlypreserveit——keepitinmypossession。Noonewhoisnotconcernedinthemattershallhavetheslightesthintofit。Sothatifthethoughtofithasdrivenyoutoanydesperateresolution——
　　Nora。Ithas。
　　Krogstad。Ifyouhaditinyourmindtorunawayfromyourhome——
　　Nora。Ihad。
　　Krogstad。Orevensomethingworse——
　　Nora。Howcouldyouknowthat？
　　Krogstad。Giveuptheidea。
　　Nora。HowdidyouknowIhadthoughtofthat？
　　Krogstad。Mostofusthinkofthatatfirst。Idid，too——butI
　　hadn’tthecourage。
　　Nora（faintly）。NomorehadI。
　　Krogstad（inatoneofrelief）。No，that’sit，isn’tit——youhadn’tthecourageeither？
　　Nora。No，Ihaven’t——Ihaven’t。
　　Krogstad。Besides，itwouldhavebeenagreatpieceoffolly。
　　Oncethefirststormathomeisover——。Ihavealetterforyourhusbandinmypocket。
　　Nora。Tellinghimeverything？
　　Krogstad。InaslenientamannerasIpossiblycould。
　　Nora（quickly）。Hemustn’tgettheletter。Tearitup。Iwillfindsomemeansofgettingmoney。
　　Krogstad。Excuseme，Mrs。Helmer，butIthinkItoldyoujustnow——
　　Nora。IamnotspeakingofwhatIoweyou。Tellmewhatsumyouareaskingmyhusbandfor，andIwillgetthemoney。
　　Krogstad。Iamnotaskingyourhusbandforapenny。
　　Nora。Whatdoyouwant，then？
　　Krogstad。Iwilltellyou。Iwanttorehabilitatemyself，Mrs。Helmer；Iwanttogeton；andinthatyourhusbandmusthelpme。ForthelastyearandahalfIhavenothadahandinanythingdishonourable，amidallthattimeIhavebeenstrugglinginmostrestrictedcircumstances。Iwascontenttoworkmywayupstepbystep。NowIamturnedout，andI
　　amnotgoingtobesatisfiedwithmerelybeingtakenintofavouragain。Iwanttogeton，Itellyou。IwanttogetintotheBankagain，inahigherposition。Yourhusbandmustmakeaplaceforme——
　　Nora。Thathewillneverdo!
　　Krogstad。Hewill；Iknowhim；hedarenotprotest。AndassoonasIaminthereagainwithhim，thenyouwillsee!WithinayearIshallbethemanager’srighthand。ItwillbeNilsKrogstadandnotTorvaldHelmerwhomanagestheBank。
　　Nora。That’sathingyouwillneversee!
　　Krogstad。Doyoumeanthatyouwill——？
　　Nora。Ihavecourageenoughforitnow。
　　Krogstad。Oh，youcan’tfrightenme。Afine，spoiltladylikeyou——
　　Nora。Youwillsee，youwillsee。
　　Krogstad。Undertheice，perhaps？Downintothecold，coal—blackwater？Andthen，inthespring，tofloatuptothesurface，allhorribleandunrecognisable，withyourhairfallenout——
　　Nora。Youcan’tfrightenme。
　　Krogstad。Noryoume。Peopledon’tdosuchthings，Mrs。Helmer。
　　Besides，whatusewoulditbe？Ishouldhavehimcompletelyinmypowerallthesame。
　　Nora。Afterwards？WhenIamnolonger——
　　Krogstad。HaveyouforgottenthatitisIwhohavethekeepingofyourreputation？（NORAstandsspeechlesslylookingathim。）Well，now，Ihavewarnedyou。Donotdoanythingfoolish。WhenHelmerhashadmyletter，Ishallexpectamessagefromhim。Andbesureyourememberthatitisyourhusbandhimselfwhohasforcedmeintosuchwaysasthisagain。Iwillneverforgivehimforthat。
　　Goodbye，Mrs。Helmer。（Exitthroughthehall。）
　　Nora（goestothehalldoor，opensitslightlyandlistens。）Heisgoing。Heisnotputtingtheletterinthebox。Ohno，no!
　　that’simpossible!（Opensthedoorbydegrees。）Whatisthat？Heisstandingoutside。Heisnotgoingdownstairs。Ishehesitating？Canhe——？（Aletterdropsintothebox；thenKROGSTAD’Sfootstepsareheard，untiltheydieawayashegoesdownstairs。NORAuttersastifledcry，andrunsacrosstheroomtothetablebythesofa。Ashortpause。）
　　Nora。Intheletter—box。（Stealsacrosstothehalldoor。）Thereitlies——Torvald，Torvald，thereisnohopeforusnow!
　　（Mrs。LINDEcomesinfromtheroomontheleft，carryingthedress。）
　　Mrs。Linde。There，Ican’tseeanythingmoretomendnow。Wouldyouliketotryiton——？
　　Nora（inahoarsewhisper）。Christine，comehere。
　　Mrs。Linde（throwingthedressdownonthesofa）。Whatisthematterwithyou？Youlooksoagitated!
　　Nora。Comehere。Doyouseethatletter？There，look——youcanseeitthroughtheglassintheletter—box。
　　Mrs。Linde。Yes，Iseeit。