01 - A Doll's House - Act 1

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
A Dolls House by Henrik Gibson, Act one, Drumatis persone
Trval Helmer, Nora, his wife, doctor Rnk Messrs Lynde nils Krogstad,
Helmer's three young children, and their nurse, a housemaid, a porter.

(00:23):
The action takes place in Helmer's house A Dolls House,
Act one scene. A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but
not extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right
leads to the entrance hall. Another to the left leads
to Helmer's study. Between the doors stands a piano. In

(00:48):
the middle of the left hand wall is a door,
and beyond it a window near the window or a
round table, arm chairs and a small sofa. In the
right hand wall. At the farther end, another door, and
on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two
easy chairs and a rocking chair. Between the stove and

(01:09):
the door, a small table engravings on the walls, a
cabinet with china and other small objects, a small bookcase
with well bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a
fire burns in the stove. It is winter. A bell
rings in the hall, shortly after which the door is

(01:30):
heard to open. Enter Nora, humming a tune and in
high spirits. She is an outdoor dressed and carries a
number of parcels. These she lays on the table to
the right. She leaves the outer door open after her,
and through it is seen a porter who is carrying
a Christmas tree and a basket, which he gives to
the maid who has opened the door. Nora hide the

(01:54):
Christmas tree carefully, Helen, be sure that children do not
see it until this evening, when it is dressed. To
the porter taking out her purse, how much porter sixpence? Nora,
there is a shilling. No, keep the change. The porter thanks,
Servin goes out. Nora shuts the door. She is laughing

(02:16):
to herself as she takes off her hat and coat.
She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and
eats one or two. Then goes cautiously to her husband's
door and listens. Yes, he is in still humming. She
goes to the table on the right. Helmer calls out
from his room. Is that my little lark twittering out there?

(02:39):
Nora busy opening some of the porcels, Yes it is, Helmer.
Is it my little squirrel? Bustling about.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (02:50):
Yes, Helmer, when did my squirrel come home? Nora just
now puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and
wipes your mouth. Come in here, Tarvald, and see what
I have bought, Helmer, don't disturb me. A little later,
he opens the door and looks into the room, pin

(03:12):
in hand.

Speaker 2 (03:13):
Bought?

Speaker 1 (03:14):
Did you say all these things? Has my little spendthrift
been wasting money again?

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yes, But Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves
go a little. This is the first Christmas that we
have not needed to economize.

Speaker 2 (03:32):
Helmer.

Speaker 1 (03:33):
Still, you know we can't spend money recklessly. Nora, Yes, Torvald,
we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't
we just a tiny wee bit. You are going to
have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money, Helmer. Yes,
after the new year. But then it will be a

(03:54):
whole quarter before the salary is due. Nora, pooh, we
can borrow until then, Helmer. Norah goes up to her
and takes her playfully by the ear, the same little featherhead.

Speaker 2 (04:10):
Suppose now that I borrowed.

Speaker 1 (04:12):
Fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the
Christmas week, and then on New Year's Eve a slate
fell on my head and killed me, and Nora putting
her hands over his mouth. Oh, don't say such hard things, Helmer.
Still suppose that happened? What then, Nora, if that were

(04:33):
to happen, I don't suppose I should care whether I
owed money or not?

Speaker 2 (04:38):
Helmer?

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yes, what about the people who had lent it?

Speaker 2 (04:43):
Nora? They who would bother about them?

Speaker 1 (04:47):
I should not know who they were?

Speaker 2 (04:50):
Helmer? That is like a woman.

Speaker 1 (04:53):
But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that.
No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or
beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.
We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far,
and we will go on the same way for the
short time, longer that there need be any struggle.

Speaker 2 (05:16):
Nora, moving toward the stove.

Speaker 1 (05:18):
As you pleased, Trivald Helmer following her. Come, Come, my
little skylark must not droop her wings.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
What is this?

Speaker 1 (05:29):
Is? My little squirrel? Out of temper, taking out his purse, Nora,
what do you think I have got here? Nora, turning
round quickly, money Helmer, there you are gives her some money?
Do you think I don't know what a lot is
wanted for housekeeping at Christmas time? Norah counting ten shillings

(05:53):
a pound, two pounds, Thank you, Thank you to reval.
That will keep me going for a long time, Helmer.
Indeed it must, Nora, Yes, yes it will. But come
here and let me show you what I have bought
an all so cheap.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
Look.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
Here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword
and a horse, and a trumpet for Bob, and a
doll and Dolly's bedstead for Emmy. They are very plain,
but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And
here are dressed linths and handkerchiefs for the maids. Old
Anne ought really to have something better, Helmer. And what

(06:34):
is this parcel? Nora crying out?

Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh no, you.

Speaker 1 (06:39):
Mustn't see that until this evening, Helmer. Very well, But
now tell me, you extravagant little person.

Speaker 2 (06:47):
What would you like for yourself? Nora? For myself?

Speaker 1 (06:52):
Oh, I'm sure I don't want anything, Helmer, Yes, but
you must tell me something reasonable that you would particularly
like to have.

Speaker 2 (07:03):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (07:05):
No, I really can't think of anything unless Turvold Helmer well, Norah,
playing with his coat buttons, and without raising.

Speaker 2 (07:15):
Her eyes to his.

Speaker 1 (07:17):
If you really want to give me something, you might
you might, Helmer well out with it, Norah, speaking quickly.
You might give me money, Torvald, only just as much
as you can afford, and then one of these days
I will buy something with it.

Speaker 2 (07:36):
Helmer.

Speaker 1 (07:37):
But Nora, Nora, oh, do, dear Turvold, please please do.
Then I will wrap it up in beautiful gilt paper
and hang it on the Christmas tree.

Speaker 2 (07:47):
Wouldn't that be fun? Helmer?

Speaker 1 (07:51):
What are little people called that are always wasting money, Nora,
spend thrifts? I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torval,
and then I shall have time to think what I
am most in want of. That is a very sensible plan,
isn't it, Helmer smiling?

Speaker 2 (08:10):
Indeed? It is.

Speaker 1 (08:12):
That is to say, if you were really to save
out of the money I give you and then really
buy something for yourself. But if you spend it all
on the housekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, then
I merely have to pay up again.

Speaker 2 (08:27):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (08:29):
Oh, but Torvald, Helmer, you can't deny it. My dear
little Nora puts his arm round her waist. It's a
sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money.
One would hardly believe how expensive such little persons are. Nora,

(08:49):
it's a shame to say that. I really do save
all I can, Helmer, laughing, that's very true. All you can.
But you can can't say anything, Nora, smiling quietly and happily.
You haven't any idea how many expenses we skylarks and

(09:09):
squirrels have. Tarvald Helmer, you are an odd little soul,
very like your father. You always find some new way
of wheedling money out of me, And as soon as
you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands.
You never know where it has gone. Still, one must
take you as you are. It is in the blood.

(09:32):
For indeed, it is true that you can inherit these things, Norah, Norah.
I wish I had inherited many of Papa's qualities, Helmer,
and I would not wish you to be anything but
just what you are, my sweet little skylark. But do
you know it strikes me that you are looking rather

(09:53):
what shall I say, rather uneasy today, Nora, do I Helmer?
You do really look straight at me. Nora looks at him, well,
Helmer wagging his finger at her. Has it, miss Sweettooth
been breaking rules in town today, Nora? No? What makes

(10:17):
you think that Helmer has since she paid a visit
to the confectioners, Nora, No, I assure you, Tuvald, Helmer
not been nibbling sweets.

Speaker 2 (10:31):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (10:32):
No, certainly not Helmer, not even taking a bite at
a macaroon or two. Nora, No, Trivald, I assure you, really,
Helmer there there. Of course, I was only joking, Nora,
going to the table on the right. I should not
think of going against your wishes. Helmer. No, I am

(10:56):
sure of that. Besides, you gave me.

Speaker 2 (10:58):
Your word going on up to her.

Speaker 1 (11:01):
Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They
will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas tree is lit,
no doubt.

Speaker 2 (11:09):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (11:11):
Did you remember to invite doctor Rink Helmer? No, but
there is no need. As a matter of course, he
will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask
him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered
some good wine.

Speaker 2 (11:25):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (11:26):
You can't think how I am looking forward through this evening, Nora,
So am I? And how the children will enjoy themselves.
To Revold Helmer, it is splendid to feel that one
has a perfectly safe appointment and a big enough income.
It's delightful to think of, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (11:47):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (11:48):
It's wonderful, Helmer. Do you remember last Christmas? For a
full three weeks beforehand, you shut yourself up every evening
until long after midnight making ornaments for the Christmas tree
and all the other fine things that were to be
a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks
I ever spent, Nora. I didn't find it dull, Helmer smiling,

(12:15):
But there was precious little result, Nora, Nora, Oh, you
shouldn't tease me about that again. How could I help
the cats going in and tearing everything to pieces?

Speaker 2 (12:27):
Helmer? Of course you couldn't, poor little girl.

Speaker 1 (12:31):
You had the best intentions to please us all, and
that's the main thing. But it is a good thing
that our hard times are over, Nora.

Speaker 2 (12:41):
Yes, it is really.

Speaker 1 (12:42):
Wonderful, Helmer. This time I needn't sit here and be
dull all alone, and you needn't ruin your dear eyes
and your pretty little hands. Nora clapping her hands. No,
to revolve. I needn't any longer need I. It's wonderfully
love to hear you say so.

Speaker 2 (13:02):
Taking his arm.

Speaker 1 (13:03):
Now, I will tell you how I have been thinking.
We ought to arrange things to all. As soon as
Christmas is over. A bell rings in the hall. There's
the bell. She tidies the room a little. There's someone
at the door. What a nuisance, Helmer? If it is
a caller, Remember, I am not at home. Made in

(13:26):
the doorway a lady to see you, ma'am a stranger.
Nora asked her to come in, made to Helmer. The
doctor came at the same time, Sir Helmer. Did he
go straight into my room?

Speaker 2 (13:43):
Maid?

Speaker 1 (13:44):
Yes, Sir Helmer goes into his room. The maid ushers
in Missus Lynde, who is in traveling dress, and shuts
the door. Missus Lynde in a dejected and timid voice,
how do you do, Nora, Nora? Doubtfully, how do you do,
Missus Lynde? You don't recognize me? I suppose, Nora, No,

(14:10):
I don't know. Yes, to be sure, I seem to suddenly, Yes, Christine,
is it really you, Missus Lynde? Yes, it is I, Nora,
Christine to think of my not recognizing you. And yet
how could I, in a gentle voice, how you have

(14:34):
altered Christine? Missus Lynde. Yes, I have indeed in nine
ten long years, Nora. Is it so long since we met?
I suppose it is the last eight years have been
a happy time for me, I can tell you. And
so now you have come into the town and have

(14:55):
taken this long journey in winter. That was plucky of you, Lynde.
I arrived by steamer this morning, Norah, to have some
funny Christmas time.

Speaker 2 (15:07):
Of course, how.

Speaker 1 (15:08):
Delightful we will have such fun together. But take off
your things. You are not cold, I hope helps her.
Now we will sit down by the stove and be cozy. No,
take this armchair, I will sit here in the rocking chair.
Takes her hands. Now you look like your old self again.

(15:28):
It was only the first moment. You are a little paler, Christine,
and perhaps a little thinner, Missus Lynde, and much much older, Nora. Nora,
perhaps a little older, very very little, certainly not much.
Stops suddenly and speaks, seriously, what a thoughtless creature I

(15:52):
am chattering away like this, My poor dear Christine, do
forgive me, Missus Lynde. What do you mean, Nora, Norah? Gently,
poor Christine, you are a widow, Missus Lynde. Yes, it
is three years ago now, Norah. Yes, I knew. I

(16:12):
saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine. I
meant ever so often to write to you at the time,
but I always put it off, and something always prevented me.
Missus Lynde. I quite understand, dear Norah. It was very
bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered,
and he left you nothing Missus Lynde. No Nora, and

(16:38):
no children, Missus Lynde, no, Norah, nothing at all then,
Missus Lynde, not even any sorrow or grief to live upon.
Norah looking incredulously at her, But Christine, is that possible?
Missus Lynde smiled sadly and strokes her hair. It sometimes happens, Norah.

Speaker 2 (17:05):
Nora, so you are quite alone?

Speaker 1 (17:09):
How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children.
You can't see them just now, for they are out
with their nurse. But now you must tell me all
about it, Missus Lynde. No, no, I want to hear
about you.

Speaker 2 (17:24):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (17:25):
No, you must begin. I mustn't be selfish today. Today
I must only think of your affairs. But there is
one thing I must tell you. Do you know we
have just had a great piece of good luck, Missus Lynde. No,
what is it, Norah, Just fancy my husband has been

(17:46):
made manager of the bank. Missus Lynde, your husband what
good luck? Nora, Yes, tremendous. A barrister's profession is such
an uncertain thing, especially if he won't undertake unsavory cases.
And naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that,

(18:07):
and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how
pleased we are he is to take up his work
in the bank at the new year, and then he
will have a big salary and lots of commissions for
the future. We can live quite differently, We can do just.

Speaker 2 (18:23):
As we like.

Speaker 1 (18:24):
I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine. It will
be splendid to have heaps of money and not need
to have any anxiety, won't it, Missus Lynde. Yes, anyhow,
I think it would be delightful to have what one needs, Nora.

Speaker 2 (18:42):
No, not only.

Speaker 1 (18:44):
What one needs, but heaps and heaps of money. Missus
Lynde smiling, Nora, Nora, haven't you learned since yet in
our school days? You are a great spendthrift, Norah laughing. Yes,
that is what Torval says now, wags her finger at her.
But Nora, Nora is not so silly as you think.

(19:07):
We have not been in a position for me to
waste money. We have both had to work, Missus Lynde,
you too, Nora, Yes, odds and ends, needle work, crochet work,
embroadery and that kind of thing, dropping her voice and
other things as well. You know, Turval left his office

(19:28):
when we were married. There was no prospect of promotion
there and he had to try and earn more than before.
But during the first year he overworked himself dreadfully. You see.
He had to make money every way he could, and
he worked early and late. But he couldn't stand it
and fell dreadfully ill. And the doctor said it was

(19:48):
necessary for him to go south. Missus Lynde. You spent
a whole year in Italy, didn't you, Nora. Yes, it
was no easy matter to get away, I can tell you.
It was just after Ivor was born, but naturally we
had to go. It was a wonderfully beautiful journey, and

(20:09):
it saved Torvald's life. But it cost a tremendous lot
of money, Christine, Missus Lynde, so I should think, Nora,
it cost about two hundred and fifty pounds. That's a lot,
isn't it, Missus Lynde. Yes, And in emergencies like that,

(20:30):
it is lucky to have the money, Nora. I ought
to tell you that we had it from Papa, Missus Lynde. Oh,
I see it was just about that time that he died,
wasn't it, Nora, Yes, and just.

Speaker 2 (20:46):
Think of it.

Speaker 1 (20:47):
I couldn't go and nurse him. I was expecting little
Ivori's birth every day, and I had my poor sick
Turval to look after my dear kind father. I never
saw him again, Christine, that was It's the saddest time
I have known since our marriage. Missus Lynde. I know
how fond you are of him. And then you went

(21:08):
off to Italy, Nora. Yes, you see, we had the
money then and the doctor's insisted on our going, so
we started a month later, Missus Lynde, and your husband
came back quite well. Nora has sound as a bell,
Missus Lynde. But the doctor, Nora, What doctor, Missus Lynde,

(21:33):
I thought your maid said, the gentleman who arrived here
just as I did, was the doctor.

Speaker 2 (21:38):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (21:40):
Yes, that was doctor Rank. But he doesn't come here professionally.
He is our greatest friend and comes in at least
once every day. No, Tarval has not had an hour's
illness since then, and our children are strong and healthy,
and so am. I jumps up and claps her hands. Christine, Christine,

(22:00):
it is good to be alive and happy. But how
horrid of me I am talking of nothing but my
own affairs. Sits on a stool near her, and rests
her arms on her knees. You mustn't be angry with me.
Tell me, is it really true that you did not
love your husband? Why did you marry him, Missus Lynde.

(22:21):
My mother was alive then and was better ridden and helpless,
and I had to provide for my two younger brothers.
So I did not think I was justified in refusing
his offer. Nora. No, perhaps you were quite right. He
was rich at that time then, Missus Lynde. I believe
he was quite well off, but his business was a

(22:43):
precarious one, and when he died it all went to
pieces and there was nothing left Nora. And then missus Lynde, well,
I had to turn my hand to anything I could find,
first a small shop, a school, and so on, the
last three years have seemed like one long working day

(23:05):
with no rest. Now it is at an end, Nora.
My poor mother needs me no more, for she is gone,
and the boys do not need me either. They have
got situations and can shift for themselves.

Speaker 2 (23:18):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (23:19):
What a relief you must feel if, missus Lynde. No, indeed,
I only feel my life unspeakably empty, no one to
live for anymore, gets up restlessly. That was why I
could not stand the life in my little backwater any longer.
I hope it may be easier here to find something

(23:41):
which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only
I could have the good luck to get some regular work,
office work of some kind.

Speaker 2 (23:51):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (23:52):
But Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look
tired out now. You had far better go away to
some watering place, Missus Lynde, walking to the window. I
have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.
Nora rising, oh, don't be angry with me, missus Lynde,

(24:14):
going up to her. It is you that must not
be angry with me, dear. The worst of a position
like mine is that it makes one so bitter no
one to work for, and yet obliged to be always
on the lookout for chances one must live, and so
one becomes selfish. When you told me of a happy

(24:35):
turn your fortunes have taken, he would hardly believe it.
I was delighted, not so much on your account as
on my own. Nora, how do you mean, Oh, I
understand you mean that perhaps Torvald could get you something
to do, missus Lynde. Yes, that was what I was

(24:56):
thinking of, Norah. He must, Christine, just leave it to me.
I will broach the subject very cleverly. I will think
of something that will please him very much. It will
make me so happy to be of some use to you,
missus Lynde. How kind you are, Nora, to be so
anxious to help me. It is doubly kind in you,

(25:19):
for you know so little of the burdens and troubles
of life.

Speaker 2 (25:23):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (25:24):
I I know so little of them, missus Lynde. Smiling,
my dear, small household cares and that sort of thing.

Speaker 2 (25:35):
You are a child, Nora.

Speaker 1 (25:38):
Nora tosses her head and crosses the stage. You are
not to be so superior.

Speaker 2 (25:44):
Missus Lynde.

Speaker 1 (25:46):
No, Nora, you are just like the others. They all
think that I am incapable of anything really serious, Missus Lynde.
Come come, Nora, that I have gone through nothing in
this world of cares. Missus Lynde. But my dear Nora,
you have just told me all your troubles. Nora, pooh,

(26:09):
those were trifles, lowering her voice, I have not told
you the important thing, Missus Lynde, the important thing. What
do you mean, Nora? You look down upon me altogether, Christine,
but you ought not to. You are proud, orient you

(26:30):
of having worked so hard and so long for your mother,
Missus Lynde. Indeed, I don't look down on anyone. But
it is true that I am both proud and glad
to think that I was privileged to make the end
of my mother's life almost free of care.

Speaker 2 (26:46):
Norah.

Speaker 1 (26:47):
And are you proud to think of what you have
done for your brothers, Missus Lynde. I think I have
the right to be Nora. I think so too. But
now listen to this, I too have something to be
proud and glad of, Missus Lynde. I have no doubt
you have. But what do you refer to?

Speaker 2 (27:09):
Norah speak low?

Speaker 1 (27:12):
Suppose Trevald water here? He mustn't on any account. No
one in the world must know Christine except you, Missus Lynde.
But what is it?

Speaker 2 (27:24):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (27:24):
Come here, pulls her down on the sofa beside her. Now,
I will show you that I too have something to
be proud and glad of. It was I who saved
Torvald's life, Missus Lynde. Saved how Norah? I told you

(27:46):
about our trip to Italy. Torval would never have recovered
if he had not gone there, Missus Lynde. Yes, but
your father gave you the necessary funds Norah smiling, Yes,
that is what Tarvald and all the others think. But
Missus Lynde, but Norah Papa didn't give us a shilling.

(28:11):
It was I who procured the money, Missus Lynde. You
all that, Lord sum Nora two hundred and fifty pounds.
What do you think of that, Missus Lynde. But Nora,
how could you possibly do it? Did you win a
prize in the lottery, Norah contemptuously, in the lottery, there

(28:35):
would have been no credit in that, Missus Lynde. But
where did you get it from, then, Norah, humming and
smiling with an air of mystery. H Ah, missus Lynde,
because you couldn't have borrowed it, Nora, couldn't I why not,
missus Lynde. No, a wife cannot borrow without her husband's consent, Nora,

(29:01):
tossing her head. Oh, if it is a wife who
has any head for business, a wife who has the
wit to be a little bit clever, Missus Lynde, I
don't understand it at all, Nora, Nora, there is no
need you should. I never said I had borrowed the money.

(29:22):
I may have got it some other way, lies back
on the sofa. Perhaps I got it from some other admirer.
When anyone is as attractive as I am, missus Lynde,
you are a mad creature, Nora. Now you know you're
full of curiosity, Christine, missus Lynde, listen to me, Nora, Dear,

(29:46):
haven't you been a little bit imprudent? Nora sits up straight.
Is it imprudent to save your husband's life, Missus Lynde.
It seems to me imprudent without his knowledge to Nora,
but it was absolutely necessary that he should not know.

(30:07):
My goodness, Kate, you understand that it was necessary he
should have no idea what a dangerous condition he was in.
It was to me that the doctors came and said
that his life was in danger, and that the only
thing to save him was to live in the south.
Do you suppose I didn't try, first of all to

(30:28):
get what I wanted, as if it were for myself.
I told him how much I should love to travel
abroad like other young wives. I tried tears and entreaties
with him. I told him that he ought to remember
the condition I was in, and that he ought to
be kind and indulgent to me. I even hinted that
he might raise alone. That nearly made him angry Christine.

(30:50):
He said I was thoughtless, and that it was his
duty as my husband not to indulge me in my
whims and caprices, as I believed. He called him very well.
I thought you must be saved, and that was how
I came to devise a way out of the difficulty.

Speaker 2 (31:08):
Missus Lynde.

Speaker 1 (31:10):
And did your husband never get to know from your
father that the money had not come from him?

Speaker 2 (31:16):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (31:17):
No, never, Papa died at that same time. I had
meant to let him enter the secret and beg him
never to reveal it. But he was so ill then
alas there was never any need to tell him, Missus Lynde.
And since then you have never told your secret to
your husband, Nora, good heavens, no, how could you think

(31:40):
so a man who has such strong opinions about these things?
And besides, how painful and humiliating it would be for Tarval,
with his manly independence, to know that he owed me anything.
It would upset our mutual relations altogether, our beautiful, happy
home would no longer longer be what it is now,

(32:02):
Missus Lynde. Do you mean never to tell him about it?
Nora meditatally and with a half smile. Yes, some day,
perhaps after many years, when I am no longer as
nice looking as I am now.

Speaker 2 (32:16):
Don't laugh at me.

Speaker 1 (32:18):
I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as
devoted to me as he is now, when my dancing
and dressing up and reciting have palled on him, then
it may be a good thing to have something in reserve,
breaking off what nonsense that time will never come?

Speaker 2 (32:36):
Now?

Speaker 1 (32:37):
What do you think of my great secret, Christine? Do
you still think I am of no use? I can
tell you too, that this affair has caused me a
lot of worry. It has been, by no means easy
for me to meet my engagements punctually. I may tell
you that there is something that is called in business
quarterly interest, and another thing called payment and installments, and

(33:00):
it is always so dreadfully difficult to manage them. I
have had to save a little here and there where
I could you understand. I have not been able to
put aside much from my housekeeping money for Torvald must
have a good table. I couldn't let my children be
shabbily dressed. I have felt obliged to use up all
he gave me for them, the sweet little darlings, missus Lynde.

(33:25):
So it has all come out of your own necessities
of life, poor Nora, Nora. Of course, besides, I was
the one responsible for it. Whenever Torvald has given me
money for new dresses and such things, I've never spent
more than half of it. I've always bought the simplest
and cheapest things. Thank heaven, any clothes look well on me,

(33:48):
and so Torvald has never noticed it. But it was
often very hard on me, Christine, because it is delightful
to be really well dressed, isn't it, Missus Lynde?

Speaker 2 (33:59):
Quite so? Nora.

Speaker 1 (34:02):
Well, then I have found other ways of earning money.
Last winter I was lucky enough to get a lot
of copying to do, so I locked myself up and
sat writing every evening until quite late at night. Many
a time I was desperately tired, but all the same,
it was a tremendous pleasure to sit there working and

(34:22):
earning money. It was like being a man, Missus Lynde.
And how much have you been able to pay off
in that way?

Speaker 2 (34:32):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (34:33):
I can't tell you exactly. You see, it is very
difficult to keep an account of a business matter of
that kind. I only know that I have paid every
penny that I could scrape together. Many a time I
was at my wits end smiles. Then I used to
sit here and imagine that a rich, old gentleman had
fallen in love with me. Missus Lynde.

Speaker 2 (34:56):
What who was it?

Speaker 1 (34:58):
Nora Wyat that he had died, and that when his
will was opened, it contained written in big letters, the
instruction the lovely Missus Norah Helmer is to have all
I possess paid over to her at once in cash,
Missus Lynde. But my dear Nora, who could the man be?

Speaker 2 (35:19):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (35:20):
Good gracious? Can't you understand? There was no old gentleman
at all.

Speaker 2 (35:27):
It was only.

Speaker 1 (35:27):
Something that I used to sit here and imagine when
I couldn't think of any way of procuring money. But
it's all the same Now the tiresome old person can
stay where he is, as far as I am concerned.
I don't care about him or his will either, for
I am free from care now.

Speaker 2 (35:45):
Jumps up my goodness.

Speaker 1 (35:48):
It's delightful to think of Christine free from care, to
be able to be free from care, quite free from care,
to be able to play and romp with the children,
to be able to keep the house beautifully and have
everything just as Tarvall likes it, And think of it.
Soon the spring will come and the big blue sky.

(36:10):
Perhaps we shall be able to take a little trip.
Perhaps I shall see the sea again. Oh, it's a
wonderful thing to be alive. And be happy. A bell
is heard in the hall, Missus Lynde rising, there is
the bell. Perhaps I had better go, Nora, No, don't go,
No one will come in here. It is sure to

(36:31):
be for Turvauld servant at the hall door. Excuse me, ma'am,
there is a gentleman to see the master, and as
the doctor is.

Speaker 2 (36:41):
With him, Norah, who is it? Krogstad? At the door?
It is I, Missus Helmer.

Speaker 1 (36:49):
Missus Lynde starts trembles and turns to the window. Norah
takes a step towards him and speaks in a strained.

Speaker 2 (36:58):
Low voice. You what is it? What do you want
to see my husband about?

Speaker 1 (37:04):
Crogsdad bank business? In a way, I have a small
post in the bank, and I hear your husband is
to be our chief. Now, Nora, then it is Crogstad.
Nothing but dry business, metters Missus Helmer, absolutely nothing else.
Nora be so good as to go into the study.

(37:25):
Then she bows indifferently to him and shuts the door
into the hall. Then comes back and makes up the
fire in the stove. Missus Lynde, Norah, who was that man? Nora,
a lawyer of the name of Crogstad, Missus Lynde. Then
it really was he.

Speaker 2 (37:47):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (37:48):
Do you know the man Missus Lynde I used to
many years ago? At one time he was a solicitor's
clerk in our town. Nora, Yes, he was, Missus Lynde.
He is greatly altered, Norah. He made a very unhappy marriage,
Missus Lynde. He is a widower, now, isn't he, Norah,

(38:12):
with several children there now it is burning up. Shuts
the door of the stove and moves the rocking chair
aside Missus Lynde. They say he carries on various kinds
of business.

Speaker 2 (38:26):
Norah.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
Really, perhaps he does. I don't know anything about it,
but don't let us think of business. It is so tiresome.
Doctor Rank comes out of Helmer's study. Before he shuts
the door, he calls to him, No, my dear fellow,
I won't disturb you. I would rather go in to
your wife for a little while. Shuts the door and

(38:47):
sees Missus Lynde. I beg your pardon. I am afraid
I am disturbing you.

Speaker 2 (38:52):
Too, Norah.

Speaker 1 (38:55):
No, not at all. Introducing him Doctor Rank, Missus Lynde Rank,
I have often heard Missus Lynde's name mentioned here. I
think I passed you on the stairs when I arrived,
Missus Lynde. Missus Lynde, yes, I go up very slowly.
I can't manage stairs well. Rank Ah, some slight internal weakness,

(39:21):
Missus Lynde. No, the fact is I have been overworking
myself Rank, nothing more than that. Then. I suppose you
have come to town to amuse yourself with our entertainments,
Missus Lynde, I have come to look for work.

Speaker 2 (39:39):
Rank.

Speaker 1 (39:40):
Is that a good cure for overwork, Missus Lynde. One
must live, doctor Rank.

Speaker 2 (39:47):
Rank.

Speaker 1 (39:49):
Yes, the general opinion seems to be that it is necessary. Norah,
look here, doctor Rank. You know you want to live
Rank certainly, however wretched I may feel, I want to
prolong the agony as long as possible. All my patients
are like that, and so are those who are morally diseased.

(40:11):
One of them, and a bad case too, is at
this very moment with helmer, Missus Lynde. Sadly Ah, Nora,
whom do you mean?

Speaker 2 (40:24):
Rank?

Speaker 1 (40:25):
A lawyer of the name of Krustad, a fellow you
don't know at all. He suffers from a diseased moral character.
Missus Helmer. But even he began talking of its being
highly important.

Speaker 2 (40:38):
That he should live.

Speaker 1 (40:39):
Nora, did he what did he want to speak to
Torvald about? Rank, I have no idea. I only heard
that it was something about the bank, Nora, I didn't
know this. What's his name? Krocstad had anything to do
with the bank? Rank, Yes, he has some sort of
appointment there. To missus Lynde, I don't know whether you

(41:03):
find also in your part of the world that there
are certain people who go zealously snuffling about to smell
out moral corruption, and as soon as they have found
some put the person concerned into some lucrative position where
they can keep.

Speaker 2 (41:18):
Their eye on him.

Speaker 1 (41:20):
Healthy natures are left out in the cold, Missus Lynde. Still,
I think the sick are those who most need taken
care of. Rank shrugging his shoulders, Yes, there you are.
That is the sentiment that is turning society into a
sick house. Nora, who has been absorbed in her thoughts,

(41:40):
breaks out into smothered laughter and claps her hands.

Speaker 2 (41:44):
Rank.

Speaker 1 (41:45):
Why do you laugh like that? Have you any notion
what society really is?

Speaker 2 (41:51):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (41:52):
What do I care about? Tiresome society. I am laughing
at something quite different, something extremely amusing. Tell me, doctor Rink,
are all the people who are employed in the bank
dependent on Torvald?

Speaker 2 (42:05):
Now? Rank?

Speaker 1 (42:08):
Is that what you find so extremely amusing? Norah smiling
and humming. That's my affair walking about the room. It's
perfectly glorious to think that we have that Tarvald has
so much power over so many people. Takes the packet
from her pocket, Doctor Rink, What do you say to

(42:29):
a macaroon?

Speaker 2 (42:31):
Rank?

Speaker 1 (42:33):
What macaroons? I thought they were forbidden here, Norah, Yes,
but these are some Christine gave me, missus Lynde. What
I Nora? Oh, well, don't be alarmed. You couldn't know
that Tarvald had forbidden him. I must tell you that

(42:53):
he is afraid that they will spoil my teeth. But bah,
once in a way, that's so, isn't it, Doctor Rank?
By your leave puts the macaroon into his mouth. You
must have one too, Christine and I shall have one,
just a little one or most two. Walking about, I
am tremendously happy. There is just one thing in the

(43:17):
world now that I should dearly love to do.

Speaker 2 (43:21):
Rank. Well, what is that? Nora?

Speaker 1 (43:25):
It is something I should dearly love to say, if
Torvald could hear me, Rank, Well, why can't you say it?

Speaker 2 (43:34):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (43:34):
No, I daren't. It's so shocking, Missus Lynde. Shocking, Rank, Well,
I should not advise you to say it. Still with us,
you might. What is it you would so much like
to say? If Torvald could hear you, Nora, I should
just love to say, well, I'm damned, Rank Are you mad,

(44:00):
Missus Lynde? Nora, Dear, Rank say it here? He is,
Norah hiding the packet.

Speaker 2 (44:08):
Hush, hush, hush.

Speaker 1 (44:10):
Helmer comes out of his room with his coat over
his arm and his hat in his hand. Nora, Well, Tarvald, dear,
have you got rid of him?

Speaker 2 (44:19):
Helmer?

Speaker 1 (44:20):
Yes, he has just gone. Nora, let me introduce you.
This is Christine who has come to town. Helmer. Christine,
excuse me, but I don't know, Nora, Missus Lynde. Dear
Christine Lynde. Helmer, of course a school friend of my wife's,

(44:41):
I presume, Missus Lynde, yes, we have known each other
since then, Nora, and just think she has taken a
long journey in order to see you.

Speaker 2 (44:53):
Helmer.

Speaker 1 (44:55):
What do you mean, Missus Lynde. No, really, I Nora.
Christine is tremendously clever at bookkeeping, and she is frightfully
anxious to work under some clever man so as to
perfect herself. Helmer, very sensible, Missus Lynde, Nora. And when
she heard you had been appointed manager of the bank,

(45:17):
the news was telegraphed. You know, she traveled here as
quick as she could. Torvald. I am sure you will
be able to do something for Christine for my sake,
won't you, Helmer? Well, it is not altogether impossible. I
presume you are a widow, Missus Lynde. Missus Lynde, yes, Helmer.

(45:39):
And have you had some experience of bookkeeping, Missus Lynde, yes,
a phaeromount.

Speaker 2 (45:45):
Helmer.

Speaker 1 (45:46):
Ah, well, it is very likely I may be able
to find something for you, Nora, clapping her hands.

Speaker 2 (45:53):
What did I tell you? What did I tell you? Helmer?

Speaker 1 (45:58):
You have just come at a fourty Missus Lynde. Missus Lynde.
How am I to thank you? Helmer? There is no
need puts on his coat, but today you must excuse me.
Rank Wait a minute, I will come with you. Brings
his fur coat from the hall and warms it at

(46:18):
the fire. Nora, don't be long away to our vaulted
dear Helmer, how about.

Speaker 2 (46:25):
An hour, not more? Norah?

Speaker 1 (46:28):
Are you going to Christine, missus Lynde putting on her cloak. Yes,
I must go and look for a room.

Speaker 2 (46:36):
Helmer.

Speaker 1 (46:37):
Oh, well, then we can walk down the street together,
Nora helping her. What a pity it is we are
so short of space here. I am afraid it is
impossible for us. Missus Lynde. Please don't think of it. Goodbye, Nora, dear,
and many thanks Norah, goodbye for the present. Of course

(46:58):
you will come back this evening, can you too, Doctor Rank?
What do you say if you are well enough? Oh
you must be. Wrap yourself up.

Speaker 2 (47:07):
Well.

Speaker 1 (47:08):
They go to the door, all talking together. Children's voices
are heard on the staircase. Norah, there they are, there
they are. She runs to open the door. The nurse
comes in with the children. Come in, come in, stoops
and kisses them. Oh, you sweet blessings. Look at them, Christine,

(47:31):
aren't they darlings?

Speaker 2 (47:34):
Rank?

Speaker 1 (47:35):
Don't let us stand here in the draft, Helmer. Come along,
Missus Lynde. This place will only be bearable for a mother. Now,
Rank Helmer and missus Lynde go downstairs. The nurse comes
forward with the children. Norah shuts the hall door. Norah,
how fresh and well you look, such red cheeks like

(47:58):
apples and roses. The children all talk at once while
she speaks to them. Have you had great fun? That's splendid.
What you pulled both Emmy and Bob along on the sleigh,
both at once? That was good. You are a clever boy.
Ivor let me take her for a little. Anne, my

(48:20):
sweet little baby doll takes the baby from the maid
and dances it up and down. Yes, yes, mother will
dance with Bob too. What have you been snowballing? I
wish I had been there too. No, no, I will
take their things off Anne, Please let me do it.
It is such fun. Go in now, you look half frozen.

(48:43):
There is some hot coffee for you on the stove.
The nurse goes into the room on the left. Nora
takes off the children's things and throws them about while
they all talk to her at once. Nora, really did
the big dog run after you? But it didn't bite you. No,
dogs don't bite nice little dolly children. You mustn't look

(49:06):
at the parcels iver.

Speaker 2 (49:08):
What are they?

Speaker 1 (49:09):
Ah, I dare say you would like to know? No, No,
it's something nasty. Come let us have a game. What
shall we play at? Hide and seek? Yes, we will
play hide and seek? Bob shall hide first? Must I
hide very well? I'll hide first. She and the children

(49:30):
laugh and shout and romp in and out of the room.
At last, Nora hides under the table, and the children
rush in and out for her, but do not see her.
They hear her smother laughter, run to the table, lift
up the cloth, and find her. Shouts of laughter, she
crawls forward and pretends to frighten them fresh laughter. Meanwhile,

(49:54):
there has been a knock at the hall door, but
none of them has noticed it. The door is half opened,
and Crostead appears. He waits a little. The game goes on, crostaid,
excuse me, missus helmer. Nora, with a stifled cry, turns
round and gets up onto her knees. Ah, what do

(50:16):
you want, croxtaid?

Speaker 2 (50:19):
Excuse me? The outer door was ajar.

Speaker 1 (50:21):
I suppose someone forgot to shut it, Norah rising, My
husband is out, mister Crostaid. Croxtaid, I know that, Nora,
What do you want here, then, croxtaid, a word with you, Nora,
with me to the children, gently go in to nurse. What. No,

(50:46):
the strange man won't do mother any harm. When he
has gone, we will have another game. She takes the
children into the room on the left and shuts the
door after them. You want to speak to me, CrOx said, yes,
I do, Norah to day. It is not the first
of the month yet, CrOx said, no, it is Christmas Eve,

(51:10):
and it will depend on yourself. What sort of a
Christmas you will spend? Nora, What do you mean today
It is absolutely impossible for me, Krox said, we won't
talk about that until later. This is something different. I
presume you can give me a moment. Nora, Yes, yes

(51:32):
I can, although CrOx said, good, I was an Olson's
restaurant and saw your husband going down the street. Norah, Yes,
Crogs said with a lady Nora. What Then, CrOx said,
May I make so bold as to ask if it
was a missus Lynde Nora it was, Krox said, just

(51:58):
arrived in town. Nora, yes, today, CROs said, she is
a great friend of your assistance. She Nora, she is,
but I don't see crostaid, I knew her too once
upon a time. Nora, I am aware of that, CrOx said,

(52:20):
are you so you know all about it? I thought
this much? Then I can ask you without beating about
the bush. Is missus Lynde to have an appointment in
the bank?

Speaker 2 (52:31):
Nora? What right have you to question me?

Speaker 1 (52:34):
Mister crostaid, you one of my husband's subordinates. But since
you ask, you shall know. Yes, Missus Lynde is to
have an appointment.

Speaker 2 (52:44):
And it was I who.

Speaker 1 (52:45):
Pleaded her cause. Mister crostaid, let me tell you that,
CrOx said, I was right in what I thought. Then, Nora,
walking up and down the stage. Sometimes one has a
tiny little bit of influence, I should hope, because one
is a woman. It does not necessarily follow that when
anyone is in a subordinate position, mister CrOx said, they

(53:08):
should really be careful to avoid offending anyone who who crostaid,
who has influence? Nora exactly, croxtaid, changing his tone, missrus Helmer,
you will be so good as to use your influence
on my behalf. Nora, what what do you mean?

Speaker 2 (53:32):
CrOx said, you will.

Speaker 1 (53:33):
Be so kind as to see that I am allowed
to keep my subordinate position in the bank, Norah, what
do you mean by that? Who proposes to take your
post away from you? Croxtaid, Oh, there is no necessity
to keep up the pretense of ignorance. I can quite
understand that your friend is not very anxious to expose

(53:55):
yourself to the chance of rubbing shoulders with me, And
I quite understand too, whom I have to thank for
being turned.

Speaker 2 (54:03):
Off, Nora.

Speaker 1 (54:06):
But I assure you, croxtaid, very likely. But to come
to the point, the time has come when I should
advise you to use your influence to prevent that.

Speaker 2 (54:18):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (54:19):
But mister kroxtaid, I have no influence, croxtaid, haven't you.
I thought you said yourself just now, Nora, naturally, I
did not mean you to put that construction on it.
I what should make you think I have any influence
of that kind with my husband? Krox said, Oh, I

(54:42):
have known your husband from our student days. I don't
suppose he is any more unassailable than other husbands.

Speaker 2 (54:50):
Norah.

Speaker 1 (54:51):
If you speak slightingly of my husband, I shall turn you.

Speaker 2 (54:55):
Out of the house.

Speaker 1 (54:56):
Krogs said, you are bold, missus Helmer.

Speaker 2 (55:00):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (55:02):
I am not afraid of you any longer. As soon
as the new year comes, I shall in a very
short time be free of the whole thing. Krogstad, controlling himself.
Listen to me, missrus Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared
to fight for my small post in the bank as

(55:22):
if I were fighting for my life, Nora. So it seems, Krogstad,
it is not only for the sake of the money. Indeed,
that weighs least with me in the matter. There is
another reason. Well, I may as well tell you my
position is this. I dare say you know, like everybody else,

(55:44):
that once many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion. Norah,
I think I have heard something of the kind, Krogstad.
The matter never came into court, but every way seemed
to be closed to me after that.

Speaker 2 (56:01):
So I took to the business that you know of.

Speaker 1 (56:04):
I had to do something, and honestly, I don't think
I've been one of the worst.

Speaker 2 (56:08):
But now I.

Speaker 1 (56:10):
Must cut myself free from all that. My sons are
growing up. For their sake, I must try and win
back as much respect as I can in the town.
The post in the bank was like the first step.

Speaker 2 (56:22):
Up for me.

Speaker 1 (56:23):
And now your husband is going to kick me downstairs
again into the mud, Nora. But you must believe me,
mister Crostudd. It is not in my power to help
you at all.

Speaker 2 (56:35):
Crostud.

Speaker 1 (56:37):
Then it is because you haven't the will, But I
have means to compel you. Nora, you don't mean that
you will tell my husband that I owe you money, Crosstud. Hmm.

Speaker 2 (56:51):
Suppose I were.

Speaker 1 (56:52):
To tell him, Nora, It would be perfectly infamous of you,
sobbing to think of his learning my secret, which has
been my joy and pride in such an ugly, clumsy way,
that he should learn it from you, and it would
put me in a horribly disagreeable position, krogstaid, only disagreeable, Norah, impetuously.

(57:17):
Well do it then, and it will be the worse
for you. My husband will see for himself what a
blackard you are, and you certainly won't keep your post. Then, Crogstead,
I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene
at home that you are afraid of, Norah. If my
husband does get to know of it, of course he

(57:39):
will at once pay you what is still owing, and
we shall have nothing more to do with you, croxtaid.
Coming a step closer, listen to me, missrus Helmer. Either
you have a very bad memory or you know very
little of business. I shall be obliged to remind you
of a few Deco, Nora, what do you mean, croxtaid,

(58:05):
When your husband was ill, you came to me to
borrow two hundred and fifty pounds. Nora, I didn't know
anyone else to go to, CrOx said, I promised to
get you that amount, Nora, Yes, and you did so,
Krox said, I promised to get you that amount on

(58:26):
certain conditions. Your mind was so taken up with your
husband's illness, and you were so anxious to get the
money for your journey, that you seem to have paid
no attention to the conditions of our bargain. Therefore, it
will not be remiss if I remind you of them now.
I promised to get the money on the security of

(58:46):
a bond which I drew up, Nora, Yes, and which
I signed.

Speaker 2 (58:52):
Crux said, good.

Speaker 1 (58:54):
But below your signature there were a few lines constituting
your father a surety for the money. Those lines your
father should have signed, Nora. Should he did sign them, croxtaid,
I had left the date blank. That is to say,
your father should himself have inserted the date on which

(59:16):
he signed the paper. Do you remember that, Nora? Yes,
I think I remember, croxtaid, Then I gave you the
bond to send by post to your father. Is that
not so, Nora? Yes, CrOx said, And you naturally did
so at once, because five or six days afterwards you

(59:40):
brought me the bond with your father's signature, and then
I gave you the money.

Speaker 2 (59:45):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (59:47):
Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly? Croxs said
fairly so.

Speaker 2 (59:52):
Yes.

Speaker 1 (59:53):
But to come back to the matter at hand, that
must have been a very trying time for you, missus Helmer.

Speaker 2 (01:00:00):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (01:00:01):
It was indeed, krogstaid, your father was very ill, wasn't
he Nora? He was very near his end, crogstad, and
died soon afterwards. Nora, yes, croxtaid, tell me, missus Helmer,
can you, by any chance remember what day your father

(01:00:22):
died on? What day of the month? I mean, Nora,
Papa died on the twenty ninth of September. Frogs said,
that is correct. I have ascertained it for myself, and
as that is so, there is a discrepancy taking a
paper from his pocket which I cannot account for. Nora,

(01:00:45):
what discrepancy? I don't know, krogstaid. The discrepancy consists, Missus Helmer,
in the fact that your father signed this bond three
days after his death. Nora, what do you mean, I
don't understand, croggstaid. Your father died on the twenty ninth

(01:01:05):
of September. But look here, your father has dated his
signature the second of October. It is a discrepancy, isn't it.
Nora is silent. Can you explain it to me? Nora
is still silent. It is a remarkable thing, too, that

(01:01:25):
the words second of October, as well as the year,
are not written in your father's handwriting, but in one
that I think I know well. Of course, it can
be explained your father may have forgotten to date his signature,
and some one else may have dated it haphazard before
they knew of his death. There is no harm in that.

(01:01:47):
It all depends on the signature of the name, and
that is genuine. I suppose, Missus Helmer, it was your
father himself who signed his name here. Nora, to ray
short pause, throws her head up and looks defiantly at him. No,
it was not. It was I that wrote Papa's name.

(01:02:10):
CrOx said, are you aware that is a dangerous confession?

Speaker 2 (01:02:15):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:02:16):
In what way you shall have your money soon? CrOx said,
let me ask you a question. Why did you not
send the paper to your father?

Speaker 2 (01:02:27):
Nora? It was impossible.

Speaker 1 (01:02:30):
Papa was so ill. If I had asked him for
his signature, I should have had to tell him what
the money it was to be used for. And when
he was so ill himself, I couldn't tell him that
my husband's life was in danger. It was impossible, CrOx said.
It would have been better for you if you had
given up your trip abroad. Nora, No, that was impossible.

(01:02:55):
That trip was to save my husband's life. I couldn't
give that up, Crogs said, But did it never occur
to you that you were committing a fraud on me?

Speaker 2 (01:03:08):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:03:09):
I couldn't take that into account. I didn't trouble myself
about you at all. I couldn't bear you because you
put so many heartless difficulties in my way, although you
knew what a dangerous condition my husband was in, Crogs said,
missus Helmer, you evidently do not realize clearly what it
is that you have been guilty of. But I can

(01:03:31):
assure you that my one false step, which lost me
all my reputation, was nothing more or nothing worse than
what you have done.

Speaker 2 (01:03:43):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (01:03:44):
You do you ask me to believe that you were
brave enough to run a risk to save your wife's life. Crogstaid,
The law cares nothing about motives, Norah, then it must
be a very foolish law, Crogs said, foolish or not,
it is the law by which you will be judged
if I produce this paper in court. Nora, I don't

(01:04:07):
believe it. It's a daughter not to be allowed to
spare her dying foller, anxiety and care. It's a wife
not to be allowed to save her husband's life. I
don't know much about law, but I am certain that
there must be laws permitting such things as that. Have
you no knowledge of such laws? You, who are a lawyer,

(01:04:28):
you must be a very poor lawyer, mister Crockstead. Crogstaid, maybe,
but mattress of business, such business as you and I
have had together. Do you think I don't understand that?

Speaker 2 (01:04:43):
Very well?

Speaker 1 (01:04:43):
Do as you please, but let me tell you this.
If I lose my position a second time, you shall
lose yours with me he bows and goes out through
the hall. Norah uppears buried in thought for a short time,
then tosses her head nonsense trying to frighten me like that.

(01:05:04):
I am not so silly as he thinks. Begins to
busy herself, putting the children's things in order. And yet, no,
it's impossible. I did it for love's sake. The children
in the doorway on the left. Mother, the stranger man
has gone out through the gate. Nora, yes, DearS, I know,

(01:05:27):
but don't tell anyone about the stranger man, do you hear?

Speaker 2 (01:05:30):
Not even Papa. Children?

Speaker 1 (01:05:33):
No, mother, but will you come and play again? Nora, No, no,
not now, children, But mother, you promised us. Norah, yes,
but I can't now run away in I have such
a lot to do. Run away in, my sweet little darlings.
She gets them into the room by degrees and shuts

(01:05:55):
the door on them, then sits down on the sofa,
takes up a piece of needlework and sews a few stitches,
but soon stops. No, throws down the work, gets up,
goes to the hall door and calls out Helen, bring
the tree in. Goes to the table on the left,
opens a drawer and stops again. No, no, it is

(01:06:18):
quite impossible. Maid coming in with the tree. Where shall
I put it, ma'am Nora here in the middle of
the floor.

Speaker 2 (01:06:30):
Made.

Speaker 1 (01:06:31):
Shall I get you anything else?

Speaker 2 (01:06:33):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:06:34):
No, thank you, I have all I want. Exit made.
Nora begins dressing the tree. A candle here, and flowers here.
The horrible man, It's all nonsense. There's nothing wrong. The
tree shall be splendid. I will do everything I can
think of to please you, Torvald. I will sing for you,

(01:06:56):
dance for you. Helmer comes in with some papers under
his arm. Oh are you back already, Helmer?

Speaker 2 (01:07:04):
Yes?

Speaker 1 (01:07:04):
Has anyone been here?

Speaker 2 (01:07:07):
Nora here?

Speaker 1 (01:07:08):
No, Helmer, that is strange. I saw Crocsdad going out
of the gate, Nora, did you, Oh yes, I forgot
Crocsdad was here for a moment. Helmer. Norah, I can
see from your manner that he has been here, begging
you to say a good word for him. Nora, Yes, Helmer,

(01:07:33):
and you to appear to do it of your own accord.
You were to conceal from me the fact of his
having been here. Didn't he beg that of you too, Nora? Yes, Trivald,
But Helmer, Nora Nora, and you would be a party
to that sort of thing, to have any talk with
a man like that and give him any sort of promise,

(01:07:55):
and to tell me a lie into the bargain, Nora,
a lie, Helmer, didn't you tell me no one had
been here? Shakes his finger at her. My little songbird
must never do that again. A songbird must have a
clean beak to chirp with no false notes. Puts his

(01:08:18):
arm around her waist. That is so, isn't it? Yes,
I am sure it is. Lets her go. We will
say no more about it. Sits down by the stove.
How warm and snug it is in here, turns over
his papers Nora, after a short pause during which she
busies herself with the Christmas tree Turvold Helmer. Yes, Nora,

(01:08:46):
I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy dress ball
at the turn Bargs the day after tomorrow, Helmer. And
I am tremendously curious to see what you are going
to surprise me with, Nora. It was very silly of
me to want to do that, Helmer. What do you mean, Nora,

(01:09:07):
I can't hit on anything that will do everything. I
think seems so silly and insignificant, Helmer, Does my little
Nora acknowledge that?

Speaker 2 (01:09:17):
At last?

Speaker 1 (01:09:19):
Nora standing behind his chair with her arms on the
back of it, are you very busy?

Speaker 2 (01:09:24):
To her?

Speaker 1 (01:09:25):
Bald Helmer? Well, Nora, what are all those papers? Helmer?
Bank business?

Speaker 2 (01:09:33):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:09:34):
Already, Helmer, I have got authority from the retiring manager
to undertake the necessary changes in the staff and in
the rearrangement of the work. And I must make use
of the Christmas week for that, so as to have
everything in order for the new year. Nora, then that
was why this poor crux, said Helmer. Hmm. Naura leans

(01:09:59):
against the back of his chair and strokes his hair.
If you hadn't been so busy, I should have asked
you a tremendously big favor, Torvald, Helmer, what is that?

Speaker 2 (01:10:11):
Tell me? Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:10:14):
There is no one has such good taste as you,
and I do want to look nice at the fancy
dress ball, Torvald, couldn't you take me in hand and
decide what I should go as and what sort of
a dress I should wear?

Speaker 2 (01:10:28):
Helmer?

Speaker 1 (01:10:29):
Ah ha, So my obstinate little woman is obliged to
get some one to come to her rescue. Nora yes,
traval I can't get along a bit without your help, Helmer.
Very well, I will think it over. We shall manage
to hit upon something, Norah.

Speaker 2 (01:10:50):
That is nice of you.

Speaker 1 (01:10:52):
Goes to the Christmas tree a short pause. How pretty
the red flowers look. But tell me, was it really
something very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of?

Speaker 2 (01:11:05):
Helmer?

Speaker 1 (01:11:06):
He forged someone's name. Have you any idea what that means?

Speaker 2 (01:11:11):
Nora?

Speaker 1 (01:11:12):
Isn't it possible that he was driven to it by necessity, Helmer? Yes, or,
as in so many paces, by imprudence. I am not
so heartless as to condemn a man altogether because of
a single false step of that kind.

Speaker 2 (01:11:28):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (01:11:29):
No, you wouldn't, would you, Turvold Helmer. Many a man
has been able to retrieve his character if he has
openly confessed his fault and taken his punishment, Nora. Punishment, Helmer.
But Krogstad did nothing of that sort. He got himself
out of it by a cunning trick, and that is

(01:11:51):
why he has gone under all together.

Speaker 2 (01:11:55):
Nora.

Speaker 1 (01:11:56):
But do you think it would Helmer? Just think how
a guilt man like that has to lie and play
the hypocrite with everyone. How he has to wear a
mask in the presence of those near and dear to him,
even before his own wife and children. And about the children,
that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora, Nora,

(01:12:18):
how helmer, Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and
poisons the whole life of a home. Each breath the
children take in in such a house is full of
the germs of evil, Nora, coming nearer him, Are you
sure of that, Helmer, My dear, I have often seen

(01:12:42):
it in the course of my life as a lawyer.
Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in
life has had a deceitful mother. Nora, Why do you
only say mother, Helmer? It seems most commonly to be
the mother's influence, though now aaturally a bad father's would
have the same result. Every lawyer is familiar with the

(01:13:05):
fact this Crockstead now has been persistently poisoning his own
children with lies and dissimulation. That is why I say
he has lost all moral character. Holds out his hands
to her. That is why, my sweet little Nora must
promise me not to plead his cause. Give me your

(01:13:25):
hand on it, Come calm, what is this? Give me
your hand? There now that's settled, I assure you it
would be quite impossible for me to work with him.
I literally feel physically ill when I am in the
company of such people. Nora takes her hand out of
his and goes to the opposite side of the Christmas tree.

(01:13:48):
How hot it is in here. And I have such
a lot to do, Helmer getting up and putting his
papers in order.

Speaker 2 (01:13:56):
Yes, and I must.

Speaker 1 (01:13:57):
Try and read through some of these before dinner. And
I must think about your costume too, And it is
just possible I may have something ready in gold paper
to hang up on the tree. Puts his hand on
her head, My precious little singing bird. He goes into
his room and shuts the door after him. Norah, after

(01:14:19):
a pause, whispers, no, no, it isn't true. It's impossible.
It must be impossible. The nurse opens the door on
the left. Nurse, the little ones are begging so hard
to be allowed to come in to mamma. Nora, No, no, no,

(01:14:39):
don't let them come in to me. You stay with
the man. Nurse very well, ma'am shuts the door.

Speaker 2 (01:14:47):
Nora pale with terror.

Speaker 1 (01:14:50):
Deprave my little children, poison my home. A short pause,
then she tosses her head. It's not true, it can't
possibly be true.

Speaker 2 (01:15:06):
And of Act one,