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

could only undo what I have done!
    MRS. LINDE
    You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter box now.
    KROGSTAD
    Are you sure of that?
    MRS. LINDE
    Quite sure, but—
    KROGSTAD
    (
With a searching look at her
.) Is that what it all means?—that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it?
    MRS. LINDE
    Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake, doesn’t do it a second time.
    KROGSTAD
    I will ask for my letter back.
    MRS. LINDE
    No, no.
    KROGSTAD
    Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back—that it only concerns my dismissal—that he is not to read it—
    MRS. LINDE
    No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.
    KROGSTAD
    But, tell me, wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here?
    MRS. LINDE
    In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on.
    KROGSTAD
    Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.
    MRS. LINDE
    (
Listening
.) You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.
    KROGSTAD
    I will wait for you below.
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, do. You must see me back to my door . . .
    KROGSTAD
    I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life! (
Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remains open
.)
    MRS. LINDE
    (
Tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready
.) What a difference! What a difference! Someone to work for and live for—a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they would be quick and come—(
Listens
.) Ah, there they are now. I must put on my things. (
Takes up her hat and cloak
. HELMER’S
and
NORA’S
voices are heard outside; a key is turned, and
HELMER
brings
NORA
almost by force into the hall. She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying open
.)
    NORA
    (
Hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him
.) No, no, no!—don’t take me in. I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early.
    HELMER
    But, my dearest Nora—
    NORA
    Please, Torvald dear—please, please—only an hour more.
    HELMER
    Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our agreement. Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing there. (
He brings her gently into the room, in spite of her resistance
.)
    MRS. LINDE
    Good evening.
    NORA
    Christine!
    HELMER
    You are here, so late, Mrs. Linde?
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in her dress.
    NORA
    Have you been sitting here waiting for me?
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone upstairs; and I thought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you.
    HELMER
    (
Taking off
NORA’S
shawl
.) Yes, take a good look at her. I think she is worth looking at. Isn’t she charming, Mrs. Linde?
    MRS. LINDE
    Yes, indeed she is.
    HELMER
    Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought so at the dance. But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What are we to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost to bring her away by force.
    NORA
    Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were only for half an hour.
    HELMER
    Listen to her, Mrs. Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved—although possibly the performance was a trifle too realistic—a little more so, I mean, than was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mind about that! The chief thing is,