Source Text: DOLL2.2Nora: Oh, Torvald dear, I've been so longing for you to come back!
Helmer: Was that the dressmaker?
Nora: No, it was Christine. She's helping me mend my costume. I'm going to look rather splendid in that.
Helmer: Yes, that was quite a bright idea of mine, wasn't it?
Nora: Wonderful! But wasn't it nice of me to give in to you?
Helmer: Nice -- to give in to your husband? All right, little silly, I know you didn't mean it like that. But I won't disturb you. I expect you'll be wanting to try it on.
Nora: Are you going to work now?
Helmer: Yes. Look at these. I've been down to the bank --
Nora: Torvald.
Helmer: Yes.
Nora: If little squirrel asked you really prettily to grant her a wish --
Helmer: Well?
Nora: Would you grant it to her?
Helmer: First I should naturally have to know what it was.
Nora: Squirrel would do lots of pretty tricks for you if you granted her wish.
Helmer: Out with it, then.
Nora: Your little skylark would sing in every room --
Helmer: My little skylark does that already.
Nora: I'd turn myself into a little fairy and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald.
Helmer: Nora, it isn't that business you were talking about this morning?
Nora: Yes, Torvald -- oh, please! I beg of you!
Helmer: Have you really the nerve to bring that up again?
Nora: Yes, Torvald, yes, you must do as I ask! You must let Krogstad keep his place at the bank!
Helmer: My dear Nora, his is the job I'm giving to Mrs. Linde.
Nora: Yes, that's terribly sweet of you. But you can get rid of one of the other clerks instead of Krogstad.
Helmer: Really, you're being incredibly obstinate. Just because you thoughtlessly promised to put in a word for him, you expect me to --
Nora: No, it isn't that, Helmer. It's for your own sake. That man writes for the most beastly newspapers -- you said so yourself. He could do you tremendous harm. I'm so dreadfully frightened of him --
Helmer: Oh, I understand. Memories of the past. That's what's frightening you.
Nora: What do you mean?
Helmer: You're thinking of your father, aren't you?
Nora: Yes, yes. Of course. Just think what those dreadful men wrote in the papers about Papa! The most frightful slanders. I really believe it would have lost him his job if the Ministry hadn't sent you down to investigate, and you hadn't been so kind and helpful to him.
Helmer: But my dear little Nora, there's a considerable difference between your father and me. Your father was not a man of unassailable reputation. But I am; and I hope to remain so all my life.
Nora: But no one knows what spiteful people may not dig up. We could be so peaceful and happy now, Torvald -- we could be free from every worry -- you and I and the children. Oh, please, Torvald, please -- !
Helmer: The very fact of your pleading his cause makes it impossible for me to keep him. Everyone at the bank already knows that I intend to dismiss Krogstad. If the rumour got about that the new manager had allowed his wife to persuade him to change his mind --
Nora: Well, what then?
Helmer: Oh, nothing, nothing. As long as my little Miss Obstinate gets her way -- ! Do you expect me to make a laughing-stock of myself before my entire staff -- give people the idea that I am open to outside influence? Believe me, I'd soon feel the consequences! Besides -- there's something else that makes it impossible for Krogstad to remain in the bank while I am its manager.
Nora: What is that?
Helmer: I might conceivably have allowed myself to ignore his moral obloquies --
Nora: Yes, Torvald, surely?
Helmer: And I hear he's quite efficient at his job. But we -- well, we were schoolfriends. It was one of those friendships that one enters into over-hastily and so often comes to regret later in life. I might as well confess the truth. We -- well, we're on Christian name terms. And the tactless idiot makes no attempt to conceal it when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to be familiar with me. He shows off the whole time, with "Torvald this," and "Torvald that." I can tell you, I find it damned annoying. If he stayed, he'd make my position intolerable.
Nora: Torvald, you can't mean this seriously.
Helmer: Oh? And why not?
Nora: But it's so petty.
Helmer: What did you say? Petty? You think I am petty?
Nora: No, Torvald dear, of course you're not. That's just why --
Helmer: Don't quibble! You call my motives petty. Then I must be petty too. Petty! I see. Well, I've had enough of this. Helen!
Nora: What are you going to do?
Helmer: I'm going to settle this matter once and for all. Take this letter downstairs at once. Find a messenger and see that he delivers it. Immediately! The address is on the envelope. Here's the money.
Maid: Very good, sir.
Helmer: There now, little Miss Obstinate.
Nora: Torvald -- what was in that letter?
Helmer: Krogstad's dismissal.
Nora: Call her back, Torvald! There's still time. Oh, Torvald, call her back! Do it for my sake -- for your own sake -- for the children! Do you hear me, Torvald? Please do it! You don't realize what this may do to us all!
Helmer: Too late.
Nora: Yes. Too late.
Helmer: My dear Nora, I forgive you this anxiety. Though it is a bit of an insult to me. Oh, but it is! Isn't it an insult to imply that I should be frightened by the vindictiveness of a depraved hack journalist? But I forgive you, because it so charmingly testifies to the love you bear me. Which is as it should be, my own dearest Nora. Let what will happen, happen. When the real crisis comes, you will not find me lacking in strength or courage. I am man enough to bear the burden for us both.
Nora: What do you mean?
Helmer: The whole burden, I say --
Nora: I shall never let you do that.
Helmer: Very well. We shall share it, Nora -- as man and wife. And that is as it should be. Are you happy now? There, there, there; don't look at me with those frightened little eyes. You're simply imagining things. You go ahead now and do your tarantella, and get some practice on that tambourine. I'll sit in my study and close the door. Then I won't hear anything, and you can make all the noise you want. When Dr. Rank comes, tell him where to find me.