Act II - p. 46-49 Flashcards
Memorization
NORA:
(Goes towards him) Talk quiety; my husband is home.
(Beginning of scene)
What’s that to me?
NORA:
What is it you want?
I want to make sure of something.
NORA:
Well - what is it? Quickly!
I suppose you know I’ve been dismissed.
NORA:
I couldn’t prevent it, Mr. Krogstad. I did everything in my power, but it was useless.
So that’s all your husband cares about you! He must realize what I can put you through, and yet, in spite of that, he dares to -
NORA:
You don’t imagine my husband knows about it?
No - I didn’t really suppose he did. I can’t imagine my friend Torvald Helmer showing that much courage.
NORA:
I insist you show respect when speaking of my husband, Mr. Krogstad!
With all due respect, I assure you! But am I in the right thinking - since you are so anxious to keep the matter secret - that you have a clearer idea today than you had yesterday, of what you really did?
NORA:
Clearer than you could ever give me!
Of course! I who know so little about the law - !
NORA:
What do you want of me?
I just wanted to see how you were getting on, Mrs. Helmer. I’ve been thinking about you all day. You see - even a mere money-lender, a cheap journalist - in short, someone like me - is not entirely without feeling.
NORA:
Then prove it; think of my little children.
Did you or your husband ever think of mine? But that’s not the point. I only wanted to tell you not to take this matter too seriously. I shan’t take any action - for the present at least.
NORA:
You won’t, will you? I was sure you wouldn’t!
It can all be settled quite amicably. It needn’t be made public. It needn’t go beyond us three.
NORA:
But, my husband must never know.
How can you prevent it? Can you pay off the balance?
NORA:
No, not immediately.
Do you have any way of raising the money within the next few days?
NORA:
None - that I will make use of.
And if you had, it would have made no difference. Even if you were to offer me the entire sum in cash - I still wouldn’t give you back your note.
NORA:
What are you going to do with it?
I shall simply keep it - I shall guard it carefully. No one, outside the three of us, shall know a thing about it. So, if you have any thought of doing something desperate -
NORA:
I shall.
-of running away from home, for instance -
NORA:
I shall!
-or perhaps even something worse -
NORA:
How could you guess that?
-then put all such thoughts out of your head.
NORA:
How did you know that I had thought of that?
Most of us think that, at first. I thought of it, too; but I didn’t have the courage -
NORA:
(Tonelessly) I haven’t either.
(Relieved) No; you haven’t the courage for it either, have you?
NORA:
No! I haven’t, I haven’t!
Besides, it would be a very foolish thing to do. You’ll just have to get through one domestic storm - and then it’ll all be over. I have a letter for your husband, here in my pocket -
NORA:
Telling him about it?
Sparing you as much as possible.
NORA:
(Quickly) He must never read that letter. Tear it up, Mr. Krogstad! I will manage to get the money somehow -
Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer, but I thought I just you -
NORA:
Oh, I’m not talking about the money I owe you. Just tell me how much money you want from my husband - I will get it somehow!
I want no money from your husband.
NORA:
What do you want then?
Just this: I want a new start; I want to make something of myself; and your husband shall help me do it. For the past eighteen months my conduct has been irreproachable. It’s been a hard struggle - I’ve lived in abject poverty; still, I was content to work my way up gradually, step by step. But now I’ve been kicked out, and now I shall not be satisfied to be merely reinstated - taken back on sufferance. I’m determined to make something of myself, I tell you. I intend to continue working in the Bank - but I expect to be promoted. Your husband shall create a new position for me -
NORA:
He’ll never do it!
Oh, yes he will; I know him - he’ll do it without a murmur; he wouldn’t dare do otherwise. And then - you’ll see! Within a year I’ll be his right hand man. It’ll be Nils Krogstad, not Torvald Helmer, who’ll run the Joint Stock Bank.
NORA:
That will never happen.
No? Would you, perhaps - ?
NORA:
Yes! I have the courage for it now.
You don’t frighten me! A dainty, pampered little lady such as you -
NORA:
You’ll see, you’ll see!
Yes, I dare say! How would you like to lie there under the ice, in that freezing, pitch-black water? And in the spring your body would be found floating on the surface - hideous, hairless, unrecognizeable -
NORA:
You can’t frighten me!
You can’t frighten me either. People don’t do that sort of thing, Mrs. Helmer. And, anyway, what would be the use? I’d still have your husband in my power.
NORA:
You mean - afterwards? Even if I were no longer - ?
Remember - I’d still have your reputation in my hands!
(Beat) Well, I’ve given you fair warning. I wouldn’t do anything foolish, if I were you. As soon as Helmer receives my letter, I shall expect to hear from him. And just remember this: I’ve been forced back into my former way of life - and your husband is responsible. I shall never forgive him for it. Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer.
(Exits through hall. Scene end).
