Source Text: DOLL2.3Nora: He said he'd do it. He will do it. He will do it, and nothing'll stop him. No, never that. I'd rather anything. There must be some escape -- ! Some way out -- ! Dr. Rank -- ! Anything but that! Anything, I don't care -- !
Nora: Good evening, Dr. Rank. I recognized your ring. But you mustn't go in to Torvald yet. I think he's busy.
Rank: And -- you?
Nora: Oh, you know very well I've always time to talk to you.
Rank: Thank you. I shall avail myself of that privilege as long as I can.
Nora: What do you mean by that? As long as you can?
Rank: Yes. Does that frighten you?
Nora: Well, it's rather a curious expression. Is something going to happen?
Rank: Something I've been expecting to happen for a long time. But I didn't think it would happen quite so soon.
Nora: What is it? Dr. Rank, you must tell me!
Rank: I'm on the way out. And there's nothing to be done about it.
Nora: Oh, it's you -- ?
Rank: Who else? No, it's no good lying to oneself. I am the most wretched of all my patients, Mrs. Helmer. These last few days I've been going through the books of this poor body of mine, and I find I am bankrupt. Within a month I may be rotting up there in the churchyard.
Nora: Ugh, what a nasty way to talk!
Rank: The facts aren't exactly nice. But the worst is that there's so much else that's nasty to come first. I've only one more test to make. When that's done I'll have a pretty accurate idea of when the final disintegration is likely to begin. I want to ask you a favour. Helmer's a sensitive chap, and I know how he hates anything ugly. I don't want him to visit me when I'm in the hospital --
Nora: Oh but, Dr. Rank --
Rank: I don't want him there. On any pretext. I shan't have him allowed in. As soon as I know the worst, I'll send you my visiting card with a black cross on it, and then you'll know that the final filthy process has begun.
Nora: Really, you're being quite impossible this evening. And I did hope you'd be in a good mood.
Rank: With death on my hands? And all this to atone for someone else's sin? Is there justice in that? And in every single family, in one way or another, the same merciless law of retribution is at work --
Nora: Nonsense! Cheer up! Laugh!
Rank: Yes, you're right. Laughter's all the damned thing's fit for. My poor innocent spine must pay for the fun my father had as a gay young lieutenant.
Nora: You mean he was too fond of asparagus and foie gras?
Rank: Yes; and truffles too.
Nora: Yes, of course, truffles, yes. And oysters too, I suppose?
Rank: Yes, oysters, oysters. Of course.
Nora: And all that port and champagne to wash them down. It's too sad that all those lovely things should affect one's spine.
Rank: Especially a poor spine that never got any pleasure out of them.
Nora: Oh yes, that's the saddest thing of all.
Rank: Hm --
Nora: Why did you smile?
Rank: No, it was you who laughed.
Nora: No, it was you who smiled, Dr. Rank!
Rank: You're a worse little rogue than I thought.
Nora: Oh, I'm full of stupid tricks today.
Rank: So it seems.
Nora: Dear, dear Dr. Rank, you mustn't die and leave Torvald and me.
Rank: Oh, you'll soon get over it. Once one is gone, one is soon forgotten.
Nora: Do you believe that?
Rank: One finds replacements, and then --
Nora: Who will find a replacement?
Rank: You and Helmer both will, when I am gone. You seem to have made a start already, haven't you? What was this Mrs. Linde doing here yesterday evening?
Nora: Aha! But surely you can't be jealous of poor Christine?
Rank: Indeed I am. She will be my successor in this house. When I have moved on, this lady will --
Nora: Ssh -- don't speak so loud! She's in there!
Rank: Today again? You see!
Nora: She's only come to mend my dress. Good heavens, how unreasonable you are! Be nice now, Dr. Rank. Tomorrow you'll see how beautifully I shall dance; and you must imagine that I'm doing it just for you. And for Torvald, of course; obviously. Dr. Rank, sit down here and I'll show you something.
Rank: What's this?
Nora: Look here! Look!
Rank: Silk stockings!
Nora: Flesh-coloured. Aren't they beautiful? It's very dark in here now, of course, but tomorrow -- ! No, no, no; only the soles. Oh well, I suppose you can look a bit higher if you want to.
Rank: Hm --
Nora: Why are you looking so critical? Don't you think they'll fit me?
Rank: I can't really give you a qualified opinion on that.
Nora: Shame on you! Take that.
Rank: What other wonders are to be revealed to me?
Nora: I shan't show you anything else. You're being naughty.
Rank: When I sit here like this being so intimate with you, I can't think -- I cannot imagine what would have become of me if I had never entered this house.
Nora: Yes, I think you enjoy being with us, don't you?
Rank: And now to have to leave it all --
Nora: Nonsense. You're not leaving us.
Rank: And not to be able to leave even the most wretched token of gratitude behind; hardly even a passing sense of loss; only an empty place, to be filled by the next comer.
Nora: Suppose I were to ask you to -- ? No --
Rank: To do what?
Nora: To give me proof of your friendship --
Rank: Yes, yes?
Nora: No, I mean -- to do me a very great service --
Rank: Would you really for once grant me that happiness?
Nora: But you've no idea what it is.
Rank: Very well, tell me, then.
Nora: No, but, Dr. Rank, I can't. It's far too much --I want your help and advice, and I want you to do something for me.
Rank: The more the better. I've no idea what it can be. But tell me. You do trust me, don't you?
Nora: Oh, yes, more than anyone. You're my best and truest friend. Otherwise I couldn't tell you. Well then, Dr. Rank -- there's something you must help me to prevent. You know how much Torvald loves me -- he'd never hesitate for an instant to lay down his life for me --
Rank: Nora -- do you think he is the only one -- ?
Nora: What do you mean?
Rank: Who would gladly lay down his life for you?
Nora: Oh, I see.
Rank: I swore to myself I would let you know that before I go. I shall never have a better opportunity . . . Well, Nora, now you know that. And now you also know that you can trust me as you can trust nobody else.
Nora: Let me pass, please.
Rank: Nora --
Nora: Helen, bring the lamp. Oh, dear Dr. Rank, this was really horrid of you.
Rank: That I have loved you as deeply as anyone else has? Was that horrid of me?
Nora: No -- but that you should go and tell me. That was quite unnecessary --
Rank: What do you mean? Did you know, then -- ?
Rank: Nora -- Mrs. Helmer -- I am asking you, did you know this?
Nora: Oh, what do I know, what did I know, what didn't I know -- I really can't say. How could you be so stupid, Dr. Rank? Everything was so nice.
Rank: Well, at any rate now you know that I am ready to serve you, body and soul. So -- please continue.
Nora: After this?
Rank: Please tell me what it is.
Nora: I can't possibly tell you now.
Rank: Yes, yes! You mustn't punish me like this. Let me be allowed to do what I can for you.
Nora: You can't do anything for me now. Anyway, I don't need any help. It was only my imagination -- you'll see. Yes, really. Honestly. Well, upon my word you are a fine gentleman, Dr. Rank. Aren't you ashamed of yourself, now that the lamp's been lit?
Rank: Frankly, no. But perhaps I ought to say -- adieu?
Nora: Of course not. You will naturally continue to visit us as before. You know quite well how Torvald depends on your company.
Rank: Yes, but you?
Nora: Oh, I always think it's enormous fun having you here.
Rank: That was what misled me. You're a riddle to me, you know. I'd often felt you'd just as soon be with me as with Helmer.
Nora: Well, you see, there are some people whom one loves, and others whom it's almost more fun to be with.
Rank: Oh yes, there's some truth in that.
Nora: When I was at home, of course I loved Papa best. But I always used to think it was terribly amusing to go down and talk to the servants; because they never told me what I ought to do; and they were such fun to listen to.
Rank: I see. So I've taken their place?
Nora: Oh, dear, sweet Dr. Rank, I didn't mean that at all. But I'm sure you understand -- I feel the same about Torvald as I did about Papa.
Maid: Excuse me, madam.
Nora: Oh!
Rank: Anything wrong?
Nora: No, no, nothing at all. It's just something that -- it's my new dress.
Rank: What? But your costume is lying over there.
Nora: Oh -- that, yes -- but there's another -- I ordered it specially -- Torvald mustn't know --
Rank: Ah, so that's your big secret?
Nora: Yes, yes. Go in and talk to him -- he's in his study -- keep him talking for a bit --
Rank: Don't worry. He won't get away from me.