Source Text: DOLL1.6The_Children: Mummy, the strange gentleman's gone out into the street.
Nora: Yes, yes, I know. But don't talk to anyone about the strange gentleman. You hear? Not even to Daddy.
Children: No, Mummy. Will you play with us again now?
Nora: No, no. Not now.
Children: Oh but, Mummy, you promised!
Nora: I know, but I can't just now. Go back to the nursery. I've a lot to do. Go away, my darlings, go away. No! Helen! Bring in the Christmas tree! No, but it's utterly impossible!
Maid: Where shall I put it, madam?
Nora: There, in the middle of the room.
Maid: Will you be wanting anything else?
Nora: No, thank you. I have everything I need.
Nora: Now -- candles here -- and flowers here. That loathsome man! Nonsense, nonsense, there's nothing to be frightened about. The Christmas tree must be beautiful. I'll do everything that you like, Torvald. I'll sing for you, dance for you --
Nora: Oh -- are you back already?
Helmer: Yes. Has anyone been here?
Nora: Here? No.
Helmer: That's strange. I saw Krogstad come out of the front door.
Nora: Did you? Oh yes, that's quite right -- Krogstad was here for a few minutes.
Helmer: Nora, I can tell from your face, he's been here and asked you to put in a good word for him.
Nora: Yes.
Helmer: And you were to pretend you were doing it of your own accord? You weren't going to tell me he'd been here? He asked you to do that too, didn't he?
Nora: Yes, Torvald. But --
Helmer: Nora, Nora! And you were ready to enter into such a conspiracy? Talking to a man like that, and making him promises -- and then, on top of it all, to tell me an untruth!
Nora: An untruth?
Helmer: Didn't you say no one had been here? My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird must have a clean beak to sing with; otherwise she'll start twittering out of tune. Isn't that the way we want things? Yes, of course it is. So let's hear no more about that. Ah, how cosy and peaceful it is here.
Nora: Torvald.
Helmer: Yes.
Nora: I'm terribly looking forward to that fancy dress ball at the Stenborgs on Boxing Day.
Helmer: And I'm terribly curious to see what you're going to surprise me with.
Nora: Oh, it's so maddening.
Helmer: What is?
Nora: I can't think of anything to wear. It all seems so stupid and meaningless.
Helmer: So my little Nora's come to that conclusion, has she?
Nora: Are you very busy, Torvald?
Helmer: Oh --
Nora: What are those papers?
Helmer: Just something to do with the bank.
Nora: Already?
Helmer: I persuaded the trustees to give me authority to make certain immediate changes in the staff and organization. I want to have everything straight by the New Year.
Nora: Then that's why this poor man Krogstad --
Helmer: Hm.
Nora: If you hadn't been so busy, I was going to ask you an enormous favour, Torvald.
Helmer: Well, tell me. What was it to be?
Nora: You know I trust your taste more than anyone's. I'm so anxious to look really beautiful at the fancy dress ball. Torvald, couldn't you help me to decide what I shall go as, and what kind of costume I ought to wear?
Helmer: Aha! So little Miss Independent's in trouble and needs a man to rescue her, does she?
Nora: Yes, Torvald. I can't get anywhere without your help.
Helmer: Well, well, I'll give the matter thought. We'll find something.
Nora: Oh, how kind of you! How pretty these red flowers look! But, tell me, is it so dreadful, this thing that Krogstad's done?
Helmer: He forged someone else's name. Have you any idea what that means?
Nora: Mightn't he have been forced to do it by some emergency?
Helmer: He probably just didn't think -- that's what usually happens. I'm not so heartless as to condemn a man for an isolated action.
Nora: No, Torvald, of course not!
Helmer: Men often succeed in re-establishing themselves if they admit their crime and take their punishment.
Nora: Punishment?
Helmer: But Krogstad didn't do that. He chose to try and trick his way out of it; and that's what has morally destroyed him.
Nora: You think that would -- ?
Helmer: Just think how a man with that load on his conscience must always be lying and cheating and dissembling; how he must wear a mask even in the presence of those who are dearest to him, even his own wife and children! Yes, the children. That's the worst danger, Nora.
Nora: Why?
Helmer: Because an atmosphere of lies contaminates and poisons every corner of the home. Every breath that the children draw in such a house contains the germs of evil.
Nora: Do you really believe that?
Helmer: Oh, my dear, I've come across it so often in my work at the bar. Nearly all young criminals are the children of mothers who are constitutional liars.
Nora: Why do you say mothers?
Helmer: It's usually the mother; though of course the father can have the same influence. Every lawyer knows that only too well. And yet this fellow Krogstad has been sitting at home all these years poisoning his children with his lies and pretences. That's why I say that, morally speaking, he is dead. So my pretty little Nora must promise me not to plead his case. Your hand on it. Come, come, what's this? Give me your hand. There. That's settled, now. I assure you it'd be quite impossible for me to work in the same building as him. I literally feel physically ill in the presence of man like that.
Nora: How hot it is in here! And I've so much to do.
Helmer: Yes, and I must try to get some of this read before dinner. I'll think about your costume too. And I may even have something up my sleeve to hang in gold paper on the Christmas tree. My precious little songbird!
Nora: It's nonsense. It must be. It's impossible. It must be impossible!
Nurse: The children are asking if they can come in to Mummy.
Nora: No, no, no; don't let them in! You stay with them, Anne-Marie.
Nurse: Very good, madam.
Nora: Corrupt my little children -- ! Poison my home! It isn't true! It couldn't be true!