玩偶之家英文劇本

-.z.ADOLL'SHOUSE"玩偶之家"

byHenrikIbsen挪威易卜生

DRAMATISPERSONAE人物表

TorvaldHelmer.托伐·海爾茂Nora,hiswife.娜拉──他的妻D(zhuǎn)octorRank.阮克醫(yī)生Mrs.Linde.林丹太太NilsKrogstad.尼爾·柯洛克斯泰Helmer'sthreeyoungchildren.海爾茂夫婦的三個(gè)孩子Anne,theirnurse.安娜──孩子們的保姆AHousemaid.愛倫──女傭人APorter.腳夫(TheactiontakesplaceinHelmer'shouse.)事情發(fā)生在克立斯替阿尼遏·海爾茂家里ACTI(SCENE.--Aroomfurnishedfortablyandtastefully,butnote*travagantly.Attheback,adoortotherightleadstotheentrance-hall,anothertotheleftleadstoHelmer'sstudy.Betweenthedoorsstandsapiano.Inthemiddleoftheleft-handwallisadoor,andbeyonditawindow.Nearthewindowarearoundtable,arm-chairsandasmallsofa.Intheright-handwall,atthefartherend,anotherdoor;andonthesameside,nearerthefootlights,astove,twoeasychairsandarocking-chair;betweenthestoveandthedoor,asmalltable.Engravingsonthewalls;acabinetwithchinaandothersmallobjects;asmallbook-casewithwell-boundbooks.Thefloorsarecarpeted,andafireburnsinthestove.Itiswinter.Abellringsinthehall;shortlyafterwardsthedoorisheardtoopen.EnterNORA,hummingatuneandinhighspirits.Sheisinoutdoordressandcarriesanumberofparcels;theseshelaysonthetabletotheright.Sheleavestheouterdooropenafterher,andthroughitisseenaPORTERwhoiscarryingaChristmasTreeandabasket,whichhegivestotheMAIDwhohasopenedthedoor.)Nora.HidetheChristmasTreecarefully,Helen.Besurethechildrendonotseeituntilthisevening,whenitisdressed.(TothePORTER,takingoutherpurse.)Howmuch"Porter.Si*pence.NoraThereisashilling.No,keepthechange.(ThePORTERthanksher,andgoesout.NORAshutsthedoor.Sheislaughingtoherself,asshetakesoffherhatandcoat.Shetakesapacketofmacaroonsfromherpocketandeatsoneortwo;thengoescautiouslytoherhusband'sdoorandlistens.)Yes,heisin.(Stillhumming,shegoestothetableontheright.)Helmer(callsoutfromhisroom).Isthatmylittlelarktwitteringoutthere"Nora(busyopeningsomeoftheparcels).Yes,itis!Helmer.Isitmylittlesquirrelbustlingabout"Nora.Yes!Helmer.Whendidmysquirrelehome"Nora.Justnow.(Putsthebagofmacaroonsintoherpocketandwipeshermouth.)einhere,Torvald,andseewhatIhavebought.Helmer.Don'tdisturbme.(Alittlelater,heopensthedoorandlooksintotheroom,peninhand.)Bought,didyousay"Allthesethings"Hasmylittlespendthriftbeenwastingmoneyagain"Nora.Yesbut,Torvald,thisyearwereallycanletourselvesgoalittle.ThisisthefirstChristmasthatwehavenotneededtoeconomise.Helmer.Still,youknow,wecan'tspendmoneyrecklessly.Nora.Yes,Torvald,wemaybeaweebitmorerecklessnow,mayn'twe"Justatinyweebit!Youaregoingtohaveabigsalaryandearnlotsandlotsofmoney.Helmer.Yes,aftertheNewYear;butthenitwillbeawholequarterbeforethesalaryisdue.Nora.Pooh!wecanborrowuntilthen.Helmer.Nora!(Goesuptoherandtakesherplayfullybytheear.)Thesamelittlefeatherhead!Suppose,now,thatIborrowedfiftypoundstoday,andyouspentitallintheChristmasweek,andthenonNewYear'sEveaslatefellonmyheadandkilledme,and--Nora(puttingherhandsoverhismouth).Oh!don'tsaysuchhorridthings.Helmer.Still,supposethathappened,--whatthen"Nora.Ifthatweretohappen,Idon'tsupposeIshouldcarewhetherIowedmoneyornot.Helmer.Yes,butwhataboutthepeoplewhohadlentit"Nora.They"Whowouldbotheraboutthem"Ishouldnotknowwhotheywere.Helmer.Thatislikeawoman!Butseriously,Nora,youknowwhatIthinkaboutthat.Nodebt,noborrowing.Therecanbenofreedomorbeautyaboutahomelifethatdependsonborrowinganddebt.Wetwohavekeptbravelyonthestraightroadsofar,andwewillgoonthesamewayfortheshorttimelongerthatthereneedbeanystruggle.Nora(movingtowardsthestove).Asyouplease,Torvald.Helmer(followingher).e,e,mylittleskylarkmustnotdroopherwings.Whatisthis!Ismylittlesquirreloutoftemper"(Takingouthispurse.)Nora,whatdoyouthinkIhavegothere"Nora(turningroundquickly).Money!Helmer.Thereyouare.(Giveshersomemoney.)DoyouthinkIdon'tknowwhatalotiswantedforhousekeepingatChristmas-time"Nora(counting).Tenshillings--apound--twopounds!Thankyou,thankyou,Torvald;thatwillkeepmegoingforalongtime.Helmer.Indeeditmust.Nora.Yes,yes,itwill.ButehereandletmeshowyouwhatIhavebought.Andallsocheap!Look,hereisanewsuitforIvar,andasword;andahorseandatrumpetforBob;andadollanddolly'sbedsteadforEmmy,--theyareveryplain,butanywayshewillsoonbreaktheminpieces.Andherearedress-lengthsandhandkerchiefsforthemaids;oldAnneoughtreallytohavesomethingbetter.Helmer.Andwhatisinthisparcel"Nora(cryingout).No,no!youmustn'tseethatuntilthisevening.Helmer.Verywell.Butnowtellme,youe*travagantlittleperson,whatwouldyoulikeforyourself"Nora.Formyself"Oh,IamsureIdon'twantanything.Helmer.Yes,butyoumust.Tellmesomethingreasonablethatyouwouldparticularlyliketohave.Nora.No,Ireallycan'tthinkofanything--unless,Torvald--Helmer.Well"Nora(playingwithhiscoatbuttons,andwithoutraisinghereyestohis).Ifyoureallywanttogivemesomething,youmight--youmight--Helmer.Well,outwithit!Nora(speakingquickly).Youmightgivememoney,Torvald.Onlyjustasmuchasyoucanafford;andthenoneofthesedaysIwillbuysomethingwithit.Helmer.But,Nora--Nora.Oh,do!dearTorvald;please,pleasedo!ThenIwillwrapitupinbeautifulgiltpaperandhangitontheChristmasTree.Wouldn'tthatbefun"Helmer.Whatarelittlepeoplecalledthatarealwayswastingmoney"Nora.Spendthrifts--Iknow.Letusdoasyousuggest,Torvald,andthenIshallhavetimetothinkwhatIammostinwantof.Thatisaverysensibleplan,isn'tit"Helmer(smiling).Indeeditis--thatistosay,ifyouwerereallytosaveoutofthemoneyIgiveyou,andthenreallybuysomethingforyourself.Butifyouspenditallonthehousekeepingandanynumberofunnecessarythings,thenImerelyhavetopayupagain.Nora.Ohbut,Torvald--Helmer.Youcan'tdenyit,mydearlittleNora.(Putshisarmroundherwaist.)It'sasweetlittlespendthrift,butsheusesupadealofmoney.Onewouldhardlybelievehowe*pensivesuchlittlepersonsare!Nora.It'sashametosaythat.IdoreallysaveallIcan.Helmer(laughing).That'sverytrue,--allyoucan.Butyoucan'tsaveanything!Nora(smilingquietlyandhappily).Youhaven'tanyideahowmanye*pensesweskylarksandsquirrelshave,Torvald.Helmer.Youareanoddlittlesoul.Verylikeyourfather.Youalwaysfindsomenewwayofwheedlingmoneyoutofme,and,assoonasyouhavegotit,itseemstomeltinyourhands.Youneverknowwhereithasgone.Still,onemusttakeyouasyouare.Itisintheblood;forindeeditistruethatyoucaninheritthesethings,Nora.Nora.Ah,IwishIhadinheritedmanyofpapa'squalities.Helmer.AndIwouldnotwishyoutobeanythingbutjustwhatyouare,mysweetlittleskylark.But,doyouknow,itstrikesmethatyouarelookingrather--whatshallIsay--ratheruneasytoday"Nora.DoI"Helmer.Youdo,really.Lookstraightatme.Nora(looksathim).Well"Helmer(wagginghisfingerather).Hasn'tMissSweetToothbeenbreakingrulesintowntoday"Nora.No;whatmakesyouthinkthat"Helmer.Hasn'tshepaidavisittotheconfectioner's"Nora.No,Iassureyou,Torvald--Helmer.Notbeennibblingsweets"Nora.No,certainlynot.Helmer.Noteventakenabiteatamacaroonortwo"Nora.No,Torvald,Iassureyoureally--Helmer.There,there,ofcourseIwasonlyjoking.Nora(goingtothetableontheright).Ishouldnotthinkofgoingagainstyourwishes.Helmer.No,Iamsureofthat;besides,yougavemeyourword--(Goinguptoher.)KeepyourlittleChristmassecretstoyourself,mydarling.TheywillallberevealedtonightwhentheChristmasTreeislit,nodoubt.Nora.DidyouremembertoinviteDoctorRank"Helmer.No.Butthereisnoneed;asamatterofcoursehewilletodinnerwithus.However,Iwillaskhimwhenheesinthismorning.Ihaveorderedsomegoodwine.Nora,youcan'tthinkhowIamlookingforwardtothisevening.Nora.SoamI!Andhowthechildrenwillenjoythemselves,Torvald!Helmer.Itissplendidtofeelthatonehasaperfectlysafeappointment,andabigenoughine.It'sdelightfultothinkof,isn'tit"Nora.It'swonderful!Helmer.DoyourememberlastChristmas"Forafullthreeweeksbeforehandyoushutyourselfupeveryeveninguntillongaftermidnight,makingornamentsfortheChristmasTree,andalltheotherfinethingsthatweretobeasurprisetous.ItwasthedullestthreeweeksIeverspent!Nora.Ididn'tfinditdull.Helmer(smiling).Buttherewaspreciouslittleresult,Nora.Nora.Oh,youshouldn'tteasemeaboutthatagain.HowcouldIhelpthecat'sgoinginandtearingeverythingtopieces"Helmer.Ofcourseyoucouldn't,poorlittlegirl.Youhadthebestofintentionstopleaseusall,andthat'sthemainthing.Butitisagoodthingthatourhardtimesareover.Nora.Yes,itisreallywonderful.Helmer.ThistimeIneedn'tsithereandbedullallalone,andyouneedn'truinyourdeareyesandyourprettylittlehands--Nora(clappingherhands).No,Torvald,Ineedn'tanylonger,needI!It'swonderfullylovelytohearyousayso!(Takinghisarm.)NowIwilltellyouhowIhavebeenthinkingweoughttoarrangethings,Torvald.AssoonasChristmasisover--(Abellringsinthehall.)There'sthebell.(Shetidiestheroomalittle.)There'ssomeoneatthedoor.Whatanuisance!Helmer.Ifitisacaller,rememberIamnotathome.Maid(inthedoorway).Aladytoseeyou,ma'am,--astranger.Nora.Askhertoein.Maid(toHELMER).Thedoctorcameatthesametime,sir.Helmer.Didhegostraightintomyroom"Maid.Yes,sir.(HELMERgoesintohisroom.TheMAIDushersinMrs.LINDE,whoisintravellingdress,andshutsthedoor.)Mrs.Linde(inadejectedandtimidvoice).Howdoyoudo,Nora"Nora(doubtfully).Howdoyoudo--Mrs.Linde.Youdon'trecogniseme,Isuppose.Nora.No,Idon'tknow--yes,tobesure,Iseemto--(Suddenly.)Yes!Christine!Isitreallyyou"Mrs.Linde.Yes,itisI.Nora.Christine!Tothinkofmynotrecognisingyou!AndyethowcouldI--(Inagentlevoice.)Howyouhavealtered,Christine!Mrs.Linde.Yes,Ihaveindeed.Innine,tenlongyears--Nora.Isitsolongsincewemet"Isupposeitis.Thelasteightyearshavebeenahappytimeforme,Icantellyou.Andsonowyouhaveeintothetown,andhavetakenthislongjourneyinwinter--thatwaspluckyofyou.Mrs.Linde.Iarrivedbysteamerthismorning.Nora.TohavesomefunatChristmas-time,ofcourse.Howdelightful!Wewillhavesuchfuntogether!Buttakeoffyourthings.Youarenotcold,Ihope.(Helpsher.)Nowwewillsitdownbythestove,andbecosy.No,takethisarmchair;Iwillsithereintherocking-chair.(Takesherhands.)Nowyoulooklikeyouroldselfagain;itwasonlythefirstmoment--Youarealittlepaler,Christine,andperhapsalittlethinner.Mrs.Linde.Andmuch,mucholder,Nora.Nora.Perhapsalittleolder;very,verylittle;certainlynotmuch.(Stopssuddenlyandspeaksseriously.)WhatathoughtlesscreatureIam,chatteringawaylikethis.Mypoor,dearChristine,doforgiveme.Mrs.Linde.Whatdoyoumean,Nora"Nora(gently).PoorChristine,youareawidow.Mrs.Linde.Yes;itisthreeyearsagonow.Nora.Yes,Iknew;Isawitinthepapers.Iassureyou,Christine,Imeanteversooftentowritetoyouatthetime,butIalwaysputitoffandsomethingalwayspreventedme.Mrs.Linde.Iquiteunderstand,dear.Nora.Itwasverybadofme,Christine.Poorthing,howyoumusthavesuffered.Andheleftyounothing"Mrs.Linde.No.Nora.Andnochildren"Mrs.Linde.No.Nora.Nothingatall,then.Mrs.Linde.Notevenanysorroworgrieftoliveupon.Nora(lookingincredulouslyather).But,Christine,isthatpossible"Mrs.Linde(smilessadlyandstrokesherhair).Itsometimeshappens,Nora.Nora.Soyouarequitealone.Howdreadfullysadthatmustbe.Ihavethreelovelychildren.Youcan'tseethemjustnow,fortheyareoutwiththeirnurse.Butnowyoumusttellmeallaboutit.Mrs.Linde.No,no;Iwanttohearaboutyou.Nora.No,youmustbegin.Imustn'tbeselfishtoday;todayImustonlythinkofyouraffairs.ButthereisonethingImusttellyou.Doyouknowwehavejusthadagreatpieceofgoodluck"Mrs.Linde.No,whatisit"Nora.Justfancy,myhusbandhasbeenmademanageroftheBank!Mrs.Linde.Yourhusband"Whatgoodluck!Nora.Yes,tremendous!Abarrister'sprofessionissuchanuncertainthing,especiallyifhewon'tundertakeunsavourycases;andnaturallyTorvaldhasneverbeenwillingtodothat,andIquiteagreewithhim.Youmayimaginehowpleasedweare!HeistotakeuphisworkintheBankattheNewYear,andthenhewillhaveabigsalaryandlotsofmissions.Forthefuturewecanlivequitedifferently--wecandojustaswelike.Ifeelsorelievedandsohappy,Christine!Itwillbesplendidtohaveheapsofmoneyandnotneedtohaveanyan*iety,won'tit"Mrs.Linde.Yes,anyhowIthinkitwouldbedelightfultohavewhatoneneeds.Nora.No,notonlywhatoneneeds,butheapsandheapsofmoney.Mrs.Linde(smiling).Nora,Nora,haven'tyoulearnedsenseyet"Inourschooldaysyouwereagreatspendthrift.Nora(laughing).Yes,thatiswhatTorvaldsaysnow.(Wagsherfingerather.)But"Nora,Nora"isnotsosillyasyouthink.Wehavenotbeeninapositionformetowastemoney.Wehavebothhadtowork.Mrs.Linde.Youtoo"Nora.Yes;oddsandends,needlework,crotchet-work,embroidery,andthatkindofthing.(Droppinghervoice.)Andotherthingsaswell.YouknowTorvaldlefthisofficewhenweweremarried"Therewasnoprospectofpromotionthere,andhehadtotryandearnmorethanbefore.Butduringthefirstyearheover-workedhimselfdreadfully.Yousee,hehadtomakemoneyeverywayhecould,andheworkedearlyandlate;buthecouldn'tstandit,andfelldreadfullyill,andthedoctorssaiditwasnecessaryforhimtogosouth.Mrs.Linde.YouspentawholeyearinItaly,didn'tyou"Nora.Yes.Itwasnoeasymattertogetaway,Icantellyou.ItwasjustafterIvarwasborn;butnaturallywehadtogo.Itwasawonderfullybeautifuljourney,anditsavedTorvald'slife.Butitcostatremendouslotofmoney,Christine.Mrs.Linde.SoIshouldthink.Nora.Itcostabouttwohundredandfiftypounds.That'salot,isn'tit"Mrs.Linde.Yes,andinemergencieslikethatitisluckytohavethemoney.Nora.Ioughttotellyouthatwehaditfrompapa.Mrs.Linde.Oh,Isee.Itwasjustaboutthattimethathedied,wasn'tit"Nora.Yes;and,justthinkofit,Icouldn'tgoandnursehim.Iwase*pectinglittleIvar'sbirtheverydayandIhadmypoorsickTorvaldtolookafter.Mydear,kindfather--Ineversawhimagain,Christine.ThatwasthesaddesttimeIhaveknownsinceourmarriage.Mrs.Linde.Iknowhowfondyouwereofhim.AndthenyouwentofftoItaly"Nora.Yes;youseewehadmoneythen,andthedoctorsinsistedonourgoing,sowestartedamonthlater.Mrs.Linde.Andyourhusbandcamebackquitewell"Nora.Assoundasabell!Mrs.Linde.But--thedoctor"Nora.Whatdoctor"Mrs.Linde.IthoughtyourmaidsaidthegentlemanwhoarrivedherejustasIdid,wasthedoctor"Nora.Yes,thatwasDoctorRank,buthedoesn'tehereprofessionally.Heisourgreatestfriend,andesinatleastonceeveryday.No,Torvaldhasnothadanhour'sillnesssincethen,andourchildrenarestrongandhealthyandsoamI.(Jumpsupandclapsherhands.)Christine!Christine!it'sgoodtobealiveandhappy!--Buthowhorridofme;Iamtalkingofnothingbutmyownaffairs.(Sitsonastoolnearher,andrestsherarmsonherknees.)Youmustn'tbeangrywithme.Tellme,isitreallytruethatyoudidnotloveyourhusband"Whydidyoumarryhim"Mrs.Linde.Mymotherwasalivethen,andwasbedriddenandhelpless,andIhadtoprovideformytwoyoungerbrothers;soIdidnotthinkIwasjustifiedinrefusinghisoffer.Nora.No,perhapsyouwerequiteright.Hewasrichatthattime,then"Mrs.Linde.Ibelievehewasquitewelloff.Buthisbusinesswasaprecariousone;and,whenhedied,itallwenttopiecesandtherewasnothingleft.Nora.Andthen"--Mrs.Linde.Well,IhadtoturnmyhandtoanythingIcouldfind—firstasmallshop,thenasmallschool,andsoon.Thelastthreeyearshaveseemedlikeonelongworking-day,withnorest.Nowitisatanend,Nora.Mypoormotherneedsmenomore,forsheisgone;andtheboysdonotneedmeeither;theyhavegotsituationsandcanshiftforthemselves.Nora.Whatareliefyoumustfeelif--Mrs.Linde.No,indeed;Ionlyfeelmylifeunspeakablyempty.Noonetoliveforanymore.(Getsuprestlessly.)ThatwaswhyIcouldnotstandthelifeinmylittlebackwateranylonger.Ihopeitmaybeeasierheretofindsomethingwhichwillbusymeandoccupymythoughts.IfonlyIcouldhavethegoodlucktogetsomeregularwork--officeworkofsomekind--Nora.But,Christine,thatissofrightfullytiring,andyoulooktiredoutnow.Youhadfarbettergoawaytosomewatering-place.Mrs.Linde(walkingtothewindow).Ihavenofathertogivememoneyforajourney,Nora.Nora(rising).Oh,don'tbeangrywithme!Mrs.Linde(goinguptoher).Itisyouthatmustnotbeangrywithme,dear.Theworstofapositionlikemineisthatitmakesonesobitter.Noonetoworkfor,andyetobligedtobealwaysonthelookoutforchances.Onemustlive,andsoonebeesselfish.Whenyoutoldmeofthehappyturnyourfortuneshavetaken--youwillhardlybelieveit—Iwasdelightednotsomuchonyouraccountasonmyown.Nora.Howdoyoumean"--Oh,Iunderstand.YoumeanthatperhapsTorvaldcouldgetyousomethingtodo.Mrs.Linde.Yes,thatwaswhatIwasthinkingof.Nora.Hemust,Christine.Justleaveittome;Iwillbroachthesubjectverycleverly--Iwillthinkofsomethingthatwillpleasehimverymuch.Itwillmakemesohappytobeofsomeusetoyou.Mrs.Linde.Howkindyouare,Nora,tobesoan*ioustohelpme!Itisdoublykindinyou,foryouknowsolittleoftheburdensandtroublesoflife.Nora.I--"Iknowsolittleofthem"Mrs.Linde(smiling).Mydear!Smallhouseholdcaresandthatsortofthing!--Youareachild,Nora.Nora(tossesherheadandcrossesthestage).Yououghtnottobesosuperior.Mrs.Linde.No"Nora.Youarejustliketheothers.TheyallthinkthatIamincapableofanythingreallyserious--Mrs.Linde.e,e--Nora.--thatIhavegonethroughnothinginthisworldofcares.Mrs.Linde.But,mydearNora,youhavejusttoldmeallyourtroubles.Nora.Pooh!--thoseweretrifles.(Loweringhervoice.)Ihavenottoldyoutheimportantthing.Mrs.Linde.Theimportantthing"Whatdoyoumean"Nora.Youlookdownuponmealtogether,Christine--butyououghtnotto.Youareproud,aren'tyou,ofhavingworkedsohardandsolongforyourmother"Mrs.Linde.Indeed,Idon'tlookdownonanyone.ButitistruethatIambothproudandgladtothinkthatIwasprivilegedtomaketheendofmymother'slifealmostfreefromcare.Nora.Andyouareproudtothinkofwhatyouhavedoneforyourbrothers"Mrs.Linde.IthinkIhavetherighttobe.Nora.Ithinkso,too.Butnow,listentothis;Itoohavesomethingtobeproudandgladof.Mrs.Linde.Ihavenodoubtyouhave.Butwhatdoyoureferto"Nora.Speaklow.SupposeTorvaldweretohear!Hemustn'tonanyaccount--nooneintheworldmustknow,Christine,e*ceptyou.Mrs.Linde.Butwhatisit"Nora.ehere.(Pullsherdownonthesofabesideher.)NowIwillshowyouthatItoohavesomethingtobeproudandgladof.ItwasIwhosavedTorvald'slife.Mrs.Linde."Saved""How"Nora.ItoldyouaboutourtriptoItaly.Torvaldwouldneverhaverecoveredifhehadnotgonethere--Mrs.Linde.Yes,butyourfathergaveyouthenecessaryfunds.Nora(smiling).Yes,thatiswhatTorvaldandalltheothersthink,but--Mrs.Linde.But--Nora.Papadidn'tgiveusashilling.ItwasIwhoprocuredthemoney.Mrs.Linde.You"Allthatlargesum"Nora.Twohundredandfiftypounds.Whatdoyouthinkofthat"Mrs.Linde.But,Nora,howcouldyoupossiblydoit"DidyouwinaprizeintheLottery"Nora(contemptuously).IntheLottery"Therewouldhavebeennocreditinthat.Mrs.Linde.Butwheredidyougetitfrom,then"Nora(hummingandsmilingwithanairofmystery).Hm,hm!Aha!Mrs.Linde.Becauseyoucouldn'thaveborrowedit.Nora.Couldn'tI"Whynot"Mrs.Linde.No,awifecannotborrowwithoutherhusband'sconsent.Nora(tossingherhead).Oh,ifitisawifewhohasanyheadforbusiness--awifewhohasthewittobealittlebitclever--Mrs.Linde.Idon'tunderstanditatall,Nora.Nora.Thereisnoneedyoushould.IneversaidIhadborrowedthemoney.Imayhavegotitsomeotherway.(Liesbackonthesofa.)PerhapsIgotitfromsomeotheradmirer.WhenanyoneisasattractiveasIam--Mrs.Linde.Youareamadcreature.Nora.Now,youknowyou'refullofcuriosity,Christine.Mrs.Linde.Listentome,Noradear.Haven'tyoubeenalittlebitimprudent"Nora(sitsupstraight).Isitimprudenttosaveyourhusband'slife"Mrs.Linde.Itseemstomeimprudent,withouthisknowledge,to--Nora.Butitwasabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldnotknow!Mygoodness,can'tyouunderstandthat"Itwasnecessaryheshouldhavenoideawhatadangerousconditionhewasin.Itwastomethatthedoctorscameandsaidthathislifewasindanger,andthattheonlythingtosavehimwastoliveinthesouth.DoyousupposeIdidn'ttry,firstofall,togetwhatIwantedasifitwereformyself"ItoldhimhowmuchIshouldlovetotravelabroadlikeotheryoungwives;Itriedtearsandentreatieswithhim;ItoldhimthatheoughttoremembertheconditionIwasin,andthatheoughttobekindandindulgenttome;Ievenhintedthathemightraisealoan.Thatnearlymadehimangry,Christine.HesaidIwasthoughtless,andthatitwashisdutyasmyhusbandnottoindulgemeinmywhimsandcaprices--asIbelievehecalledthem.Verywell,Ithought,youmustbesaved--andthatwashowIcametodeviseawayoutofthedifficulty--Mrs.Linde.Anddidyourhusbandnevergettoknowfromyourfatherthatthemoneyhadnotefromhim"Nora.No,never.Papadiedjustatthattime.Ihadmeanttolethimintothesecretandbeghimnevertorevealit.Buthewassoillthen--alas,thereneverwasanyneedtotellhim.Mrs.Linde.Andsincethenhaveyounevertoldyoursecrettoyourhusband"Nora.GoodHeavens,no!Howcouldyouthinkso"Amanwhohassuchstrongopinionsaboutthesethings!Andbesides,howpainfulandhumiliatingitwouldbeforTorvald,withhismanlyindependence,toknowthatheowedmeanything!Itwouldupsetourmutualrelationsaltogether;ourbeautifulhappyhomewouldnolongerbewhatitisnow.Mrs.Linde.Doyoumeannevertotellhimaboutit"Nora(meditatively,andwithahalfsmile).Yes--someday,perhaps,aftermanyyears,whenIamnolongerasnice-lookingasIamnow.Don'tlaughatme!Imean,ofcourse,whenTorvaldisnolongerasdevotedtomeasheisnow;whenmydancinganddressing-upandrecitinghavepalledonhim;thenitmaybeagoodthingtohavesomethinginreserve--(Breakingoff.)Whatnonsense!Thattimewillnevere.Now,whatdoyouthinkofmygreatsecret,Christine"DoyoustillthinkIamofnouse"Icantellyou,too,thatthisaffairhascausedmealotofworry.Ithasbeenbynomeanseasyformetomeetmyengagementspunctually.Imaytellyouthatthereissomethingthatiscalled,inbusiness,quarterlyinterest,andanotherthingcalledpaymentininstallments,anditisalwayssodreadfullydifficulttomanagethem.Ihavehadtosavealittlehereandthere,whereIcould,youunderstand.Ihavenotbeenabletoputasidemuchfrommyhousekeepingmoney,forTorvaldmusthaveagoodtable.Icouldn'tletmychildrenbeshabbilydressed;Ihavefeltobligedtouseupallhegavemeforthem,thesweetlittledarlings!Mrs.Linde.Soithasallhadtoeoutofyourownnecessariesoflife,poorNora"Nora.Ofcourse.Besides,Iwastheoneresponsibleforit.WheneverTorvaldhasgivenmemoneyfornewdressesandsuchthings,Ihaveneverspentmorethanhalfofit;Ihavealwaysboughtthesimplestandcheapestthings.ThankHeaven,anyclotheslookwellonme,andsoTorvaldhasnevernoticedit.Butitwasoftenveryhardonme,Christine--becauseitisdelightfultobereallywelldressed,isn'tit"Mrs.Linde.Quiteso.Nora.Well,thenIhavefoundotherwaysofearningmoney.LastwinterIwasluckyenoughtogetalotofcopyingtodo;soIlockedmyselfupandsatwritingeveryeveninguntilquitelateatnight.ManyatimeIwasdesperatelytired;butallthesameitwasatremendouspleasuretositthereworkingandearningmoney.Itwaslikebeingaman.Mrs.Linde.Howmuchhaveyoubeenabletopayoffinthatway"Nora.Ican'ttellyoue*actly.Yousee,itisverydifficulttokeepanaccountofabusinessmatterofthatkind.IonlyknowthatIhavepaideverypennythatIcouldscrapetogether.ManyatimeIwasatmywits'end.(Smiles.)ThenIusedtosithereandimaginethataricholdgentlemanhadfalleninlovewithme--Mrs.Linde.What!Whowasit"Nora.Bequiet!--thathehaddied;andthatwhenhiswillwasopeneditcontained,writteninbigletters,theinstruction:"ThelovelyMrs.NoraHelmeristohaveallIpossesspaidovertoheratonceincash."Mrs.Linde.But,mydearNora--whocouldthemanbe"Nora.Goodgracious,can'tyouunderstand"Therewasnooldgentlemanatall;itwasonlysomethingthatIusedtosithereandimagine,whenIcouldn'tthinkofanywayofprocuringmoney.Butit'sallthesamenow;thetiresomeoldpersoncanstaywhereheis,asfarasIamconcerned;Idon'tcareabouthimorhiswilleither,forIamfreefromcarenow.(Jumpsup.)Mygoodness,it'sdelightfultothinkof,Christine!Freefromcare!Tobeabletobefreefromcare,quitefreefromcare;tobeabletoplayandrompwiththechildren;tobeabletokeepthehousebeautifullyandhaveeverythingjustasTorvaldlikesit!And,thinkofit,soonthespringwilleandthebigbluesky!Perhapsweshallbeabletotakealittletrip--perhapsIshallseetheseaagain!Oh,it'sawonderfulthingtobealiveandbehappy.(Abellisheardinthehall.)Mrs.Linde(rising).Thereisthebell;perhapsIhadbettergo.Nora.No,don'tgo;noonewilleinhere;itissuretobeforTorvald.Servant(atthehalldoor).E*cuseme,ma'am--thereisagentlemantoseethemaster