02 - A Doll's House - Act 2

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Act two, the same scene. The Christmas tree is in
the corner by the piano, stripped of its ornaments and
with burnt down candle in ins on its disheveled branches.
Nora's cloak and hatter lying on the sofa. She is
alone in the room, walking about uneasily. She stops by
the sofa and takes up her cloak. Nora drops her cloak.

(00:26):
Someone is coming now, goes to the door and listens. No,
it is no one, of course, no one will come
today Christmas Day, nor tomorrow either. But perhaps opens the
door and looks out. No, nothing in the letter box,
it is quite empty. Comes forward, what rubbish? Of course,

(00:49):
he can't be in earnest about it. Such a thing
couldn't happen. It is impossible. I have three little children
enter the nurse from the room on the left, carrying
a big cardboard box. Nurse, at last, I have found
the box with the fancy dress. Nora. Thanks, put it

(01:11):
on the table. Nurse doing so, But it is very
much in want of mending. Nora, I should like to
tear it into a hundred thousand pieces. Nurse, what an idea.
It can easily be put in order, just a little patience, Nora. Yes,

(01:32):
I will go and get missus Lynde to come and
help me with it. Nurse what out again in this
horrible weather, you will catch cold, ma'am and make yourself ill. Nora, Well,
worse than that might happen. How are the children, Nurse?
The poor little souls are playing with their Christmas presents?

(01:55):
But Nora, do they ask much for me? Nurse? You
see they are so accustomed to have their mamma with them. Nora. Yes,
But Nurse I shall not be able to do so
much with him now as I was before. Nurse. Oh, well,
young children easily get accustomed to anything, Norah, do you

(02:18):
think so? Do you think they would forget their mother?
Or she went away all together? Nurse? Good heavens went
away all together? Nora. Nurse, I want you to tell
me something I have often wondered about. How could you
have the heart to put your own child out among strangers? Nurse?

(02:41):
I was obliged to if I wanted to be a
little Nora's nurse. Norah. Yes, but how could you be
willing to do it? Nurse? What? When I was going
to get such a good place by it? A poor
girl who has got into trouble. Should be glad to
that wicked man didn't do a single thing for me, Nora.

(03:05):
But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten you, Nurse. No,
indeed she hasn't. She wrote to me when she was
confirmed and when she was married, Nora, putting her arms
around her neck. Dear old Anne, you were a good
mother to me when I was little, Nurse, Little Nora,

(03:27):
poor dear, had no other mother but me, Nora. And
if my little ones had no other mother, I am
sure you would what nonsense I am talking. Opens the box,
go into them now, I must. You will see tomorrow
how charming I shall look, Nurse. I am sure there

(03:50):
will be no one at the hall so charming as you.
Ma'am goes into the room on the left. Nora begins
to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from her.
If only I dare go out, if only no one
would come, if only I could be sure nothing would
happen here in the meantime, stuff and nonsense, no one

(04:12):
will come. Only I mustn't think about it. I will
brush my muff, what lovely, lovely gloves out of my thoughts,
out of my thoughts. One two, three, four, five six, screams, ah,
there is someone coming, makes a movement towards the door,
but stands irresolute. Enter Missus Lynde from the hall, where

(04:38):
she has taken off her cloak and hat. Nora, Oh,
it's you, Christine. There is no one else out there,
is there. How good of you to come, Missus Lynde.
I heard you were asking for me, Nora, yes, I
was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is
something you could help me with. Let us sit down

(04:59):
here on the sofa. Look here. Tomorrow evening there is
to be a fancy dress ball at the Stenborgs who
live above us, and Torvald wants me to go as
a Neapolitan fisher girl and dance to Tarantella that I
learned at Capri. Missus Lynde, I see you are going
to keep up the character, Nora. Yes, Traval wants me

(05:24):
to Look. Here is the dress Torvald had it made
for me there, but now it is all so torn
and I haven't any idea, Missus Lynde. We will easily
put that right. It is only some of the trimming
come unsown here and there, needle and thread. Now, then
that's all we want, Nora. It is nice of you,

(05:49):
missus Lynde Sewing, So you are going to be dressed
up tomorrow, Nora, I will tell you what. I shall
come in for a moment and see you in your
fine feathers. But I have completely forgotten to thank you
for a delightful evening yesterday. Nora gets up and crosses
the stage. Well, I don't think yesterday was as pleasant

(06:13):
as usual. You ought to have come to town a
little earlier, Christine. Certainly Tarvald does understand how to make
a house dainty and attractive, missus Lynde, and so do you.
It seems to me you are not your father's daughter
for nothing. But tell me, is doctor Rank always as

(06:34):
depressed as he was yesterday? Norah, No, yesterday it was
very noticeable. I must tell you that he suffers from
a very dangerous disease. He has consumption of the spine.
Poor creature. His father was a horrible man who committed
all sorts of excesses, and that is why his son

(06:56):
was sickly from childhood. Do you understand, missus Lynde dropping
her sewing? But my dearest Nora, how do you know
anything about such things? Nora walking about Pooh. When you
have three children, you get visits now and then from
married women who know something of medical matters, and they

(07:18):
talk about one thing and another. Missus Lynde goes on
sewing a sharp silence. Does doctor Rank come here every day? Nora?
Every day? Regularly? He is Torval's most intimate friend, and
a great friend of mine too. He is just like
one of the family, Missus Lynde. But tell me this

(07:43):
is he perfectly sincere? I mean, isn't he the kind
of man that is very anxious to make himself agreeable? Nora,
not in the least. What makes you think that, Missus Lynde.
When you introduced him to me, yes, he declared he
had often heard my name mentioned in this house. But

(08:05):
afterwards I noticed that your husband hadn't the slightest idea
who I was. So how could doctor rink, Nora? That
is quite right, Christine Tarvald is so absurdly fond of
me that he wants me absolutely to himself, As he says,
at first, he used to seem almost jealous if I
mentioned any of the dear folk at home, so naturally

(08:27):
I gave up doing so. But I often talk about
such things with doctor Rink, because he likes hearing about them.
Missus Lynde, listen to me, Nora. You are still very
like a child in many things, and I am older
than you in many ways and have a little more experience.
Let me tell you this. You ought to make an

(08:49):
end of it with doctor Rank, Nora? What ought I
to make an end of, Missus Lynde? Of two things?
I think yesterday you talked some nonsense about a rich
admirer who wished to leave you money, Norah, an admirer
who doesn't exist, unfortunately. But what then, Missus Lynde. Is

(09:14):
doctor Rank a man of means? Norah? Yes, he is
Missus Lynde, and has no one to provide for him, Norah, No,
no one but Missus Lynde, and comes here every day. Nora. Yes,
I told you so, Missus Lynde. But how can this

(09:37):
well bred man be so tactless? Nora? I don't understand
you at all, Missus Lynde. Don't prevaricate, Nora. Do you
suppose I don't guess who lent you the two hundred
and fifty pounds? Nora? Are you out of your senses?

(09:58):
How can you think of such a thing a friend
of ours who comes here every day. Do you realize
what a horribly painful position that would be, Missus Lynde.
Then it really isn't he, Nora, No, certainly not. He
would never have entered my head for a moment. Besides,
he had no money to lend. Then he came into

(10:21):
his money afterwards, Missus Lynde. Well, I think that was
lucky for you, my dear Nora. Nora. No, it would
never have come into my head to ask doctor Rink,
although I'm quite sure that if I had asked him,
Missus Lynde. But of course you won't, Nora, of course not.

(10:45):
I have no reason to think it could possibly be necessary.
But I am quite sure that if I told doctor Rink,
Missus Lynde, behind your husband's back, Nora, I must make
an end of it with the other one, and that
will be behind his back to I must make an
end of it with him, Missus Lynde. Yes, that is

(11:07):
what I told you yesterday. But Nora, walking up and down.
A man could put a thing like that straight much
easier than a woman, Missus Lynde one's husband, Yes, Nora, nonsense,
standing still when you pay off a debt. You get
your bond back, don't you, Missus Lynde, yes, as a

(11:32):
matter of course, Nora, and can tear it into a
hundred thousand pieces and burn it up the nasty dirty paper.
Missus Lynde looks hard at her, lays down her sewing,
and gets up slowly. Nora, you are concealing something from me, Norah.

(11:52):
Do I look as if I were, Missus Lynde. Something
has happened to you since yesterday morning, Nora, What is it?
Nora going nearer to her, Christine listens, Hush, there's Torvald
coming home. Do you mind going in to the children
for the present? Tarvald can't bare to see dressmaking going on.

(12:17):
Let Anne help you, Missus Lynde gathering some of the
things together, certainly, but I am not going away from
here until we have had it out with one another.
She goes into the room on the left as Helmer
comes in from the hall. Norah going up to Helmer.
I have wanted you so much, Torvald. Dear Helmer, was

(12:41):
that the dressmaker? Nora? No, it was Christine. She is
helping me to put my dress in order. You will
see I shall look quite smart, Helmer. Wasn't that a
happy thought of mine? Now, Nora splendid? But don't you
think it as nice of me too to do as

(13:01):
you wish? Helmer? Nice because you do as your husband wishes. Well, well,
you little rogue. I am sure you did not mean
it that way, but I am not going to disturb you.
You will want to be trying on your dress, I expect, Nora.
I suppose you are going to work. Helmer. Yes, show sorry,

(13:25):
bundle of papers. Look at that. I have just been
into the bank. Turns to go into his room, Nora,
Torvald Helmer. Yes, Nora. If your little squirrel were to
ask you for something, very very prettily, Helmer, what then, Nora,

(13:48):
would you do it? Helmer? I should like to hear
what it is first, Nora, your squirrel would run about
and do all her tricks if you would be nice
and do what she wants. Helmer, speak plainly, Nora, your
skylark would chirp about in every room with her song

(14:10):
rising and falling. Helmer, Well, my skylark does that anyhow, Norah?
I would play the fairy and dance for you in
the moonlight. Torvald Helmer, Norah you surely don't mean that
request you made to me this morning, Nora, going near him. Yes, Torvald,

(14:34):
I beg you so earnestly. Helmer. Have you really the
courage to open up that question again? Nora, Yes, dear,
you must do us. I ask you must let Crostad
keep his post in the bank. Helmer, My dear Nora,

(14:55):
it is his post that I have arranged missus Lynch
shall have no Yes, you have been awfully kind about that,
but you could just as well dismiss some other clerk
instead of Crostead. Helmer. This is simply incredible obstinacy, because
you chose to give him a thoughtless promise that you

(15:16):
would speak for him. I am expected to Nora, that
isn't the reason, Torvald. It is for your own sake,
this fellow writes in the most scurrilous newspapers. You have
told me so yourself. He can do you an unspeakable
amount of harm. I was frightened to death of him, Helmer. Ah,

(15:39):
I understand it is recollections of the past that scare you. Nora.
What do you mean, Helmer? Naturally you are thinking of
your father, Norah. Yes, yes, of course, just recall to
your mind what these malicious creatures wrote in the papers
about Papa, and how horribly they slandered him. I believe

(16:03):
they would have procured his dismissal if the department had
not sent you over to inquire into it, and if
you had not been so kindly disposed and helpful to him. Helmer,
My little Nora, there is an important difference between your
father and me. Your father's reputation as a public official

(16:23):
was not above suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it
will continue to be so as long as I hold
my office. Nora, You never can tell what mischief these
men may contrive. We ought to be so well off,
so snug and happy here on our peaceful home, and
have no cares, you and I and the children, Torvald.

(16:46):
That is why I beg you so earnestly, Helmer. And
it is just by interceding for him that you make
it impossible for me to keep him. It is already
known to the bank that I'm mean to dismiss Krogstadt.
Is it to get about now that the new manager
has changed his mind at his wife's bidding, Nora? And

(17:10):
what if it did? Helmer? Of course, if only this
obstinate little person can get her way. Do you suppose
I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole
staff to let people think that I am a man
to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence. I
should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can

(17:31):
tell you. And besides, there is one thing that makes
it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad at the
bank as long as I am manager. Nora, whatever is
that Helmer His moral feelings I might perhaps have overlooked
if necessary, Nora, Yes you could, couldn't you, Helmer? And

(17:55):
I hear he is a good worker too. But I
knew him when we were boys. It is one of
those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in
after life. I may as well tell you plainly. We
were once on very intimate terms with one another. But
this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other

(18:16):
people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives
him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me,
And every minute it is, I say, Helmer, old fellow.
And that sort of thing, I assure you it is
extremely painful for me, he would make my position in
the bank intolerable. Nora, Tarvald, I don't believe you mean that, Helmer,

(18:40):
don't you? Why not, Norah, because it is such a
narrow minded way of looking at things, Helmer, What are
you saying? Narrow minded? Do you think I am narrow minded? Nora? No,
just the opposite, dear, And it is exactly for that reason, Helmer.

(19:04):
It is the same thing you say. My point of
view is narrow minded, so I must be so too,
narrow minded. Very well, I must put an end to this.
Goes to the hall door and calls Helen. Nora, what
are you going to do? Helmer? Looking among his papers,

(19:25):
settle it intermade? Look here, take this letter and go
downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger and tell
him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is
on it, and here is the money made. Very well, sir,
exit with the letter, Helmer, putting his papers together. Now,

(19:47):
then little miss obstinate Nora breathlessly, Torvald, what was that letter? Helmer?
Krogstad's dismissal Nora call her back to a revolt. There is
still time, oh, to Revald, call her back. Do it
for my sake, for your own sake, for the children's sake.

(20:10):
Do you hear me to Revald call her back? You
don't know what that letter can bring upon us. Helmer,
it's too late, Norah, Yes, it's too late, Helmer. My
dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in,
although really it is an insult to me. It is indeed,

(20:34):
isn't it an insult to think that I should be
afraid of a starving quill driver's vengeance? But I forgive
you nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your
great love for me. Takes her in his arms, and
that is as it should be my own darling, Nora, Come,
what will you? May be sure I shall have both

(20:55):
courage and strength if they be needed. You will see
I am man enough to take everything upon myself. Nora
in a horror stricken voice, what do you mean by that? Helmer?
Everything I say? Nora recovering herself. You will never have

(21:17):
to do that, Helmer. That's right. Well, we will share it, Nora,
as man and wife should. That is how it shall
be caressing her? Aren't you content? Now? They're they're not
these frightened dove's eyes the whole thing is only the
wildest fancy. Now you must go and play through the

(21:40):
tarantella and practice with your tambourine. I shall go into
the inner office and shut the door, and I shall
hear nothing. You can make as much noise as you please.
Turns back at the door, and when Raik comes, tell
him where he will find me. Nods to her, takes
his papers, and goes into his room and shuts the
door after him. Nora, bewildered with anxiety, stands as if

(22:06):
rooted to the spot and whispers, he was capable of
doing it. He will do it. He will do it
in spite of everything. No, not that, never, never, anything
rather than that, Oh, for some help, some way out
of it. The doorbell rings, doctor Rank, anything rather than that, anything,

(22:31):
whatever it is. She puts her hands over her face,
pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it.
Rank is standing without hanging up his coat. During the
following dialogue, it begins to grow dark. Norah, good day,
doctor Rank. I knew you're ring, but you mustn't go

(22:52):
into torvol now. I think he is busy with something, Rank,
and you. Nora brings him in and shuts the door
after him. Oh, you know very well. I always have
time for you, Rank, Thank you. I shall make use
of as much of it as I can, Nora, What

(23:14):
do you mean by that, as much of it as
you can? Rank? Well? Does that alarm you? Nora? It
was such a strange way of putting it. Is anything
likely to happen, Rank, nothing but what I have long
been prepared for him. But I certainly didn't expect it
to happen so soon, Norah, gripping him by the arm.

(23:38):
What if you found out? Doctor, Rank? You must tell
me Rank, sitting down by the stove. It is all
up with me and it can't be helped, Nora, with
a sigh of relief. Oh is it about yourself? Rank?
Who else? It's no use lying to one's self. I

(24:01):
am the most wretched of all my patients, missus Helmer.
Lately I have been taking stock of my internal economy bankrupt.
Probably within a month I shall lie rotting in the churchyard. Nora,
What an ugly thing to say, Rank. The thing itself

(24:21):
is cursedly ugly, and the worst of it is that
I shall have to face so much more that is ugly.
Before that, I shall only make one more examination of myself.
When I have done that, I shall know pretty certainly
when it will be that the horrors of dissolution will begin.
There is something I want to tell you. Helmer's refined

(24:43):
nature gives him an unconquerable disgust at everything that is ugly.
I won't have him in my sick room, Nora. Oh,
but doctor Rank Rank, I won't have him there, not
on any account. I bar my door to him. As
soon as I am quite certain that the worst has come,

(25:05):
I shall send you my card with a black cross
on it, and then you will know that the loathesome
end has begun. Nora, you are quite absurd today, and
I wanted you so much to be in a really
good humor. Rank, with death stalking beside me. To have

(25:26):
to pay this penalty for another man's sin? Is there
any justice in that? And in every single family, in
one way or another, some such inexorable retribution as being exacted,
Nora putting her hands over her ears. Rabbish, do talk
of something cheerful, Rank, Oh, it's a mere laughing matter.

(25:51):
The whole thing, My poor innocent spine has to suffer
for my father's youthful amusements, Nora, sitting at the table
on the left. I suppose you mean that he was
too partial to asparagus and pote de foigois, don't you, Rank, Yes,
a to truffles, Nora truffles. Yes, and oysters too, I suppose, Rank, oysters.

(26:16):
Of course, that goes without saying, Nora, and heaps of
port and champagne. It is sad that all these nice
things should take their revenge on our bones. Rank, especially
that they should revenge themselves on the unlucky bones of
those who have not had the satisfaction of enjoying them. Nora. Yes,

(26:40):
that is the saddest part of it all. Rank, with
a searching look at her, Hm Nora, after a short pause,
why do you smile? Rank, No, it was you that laughed, Nora, No,
it was you that smiled, doctor, Rank, Rank rising, You

(27:04):
are a greater rascal than I thought, Norah. I am
in a silly mood today, Rank, so it seems, Norah,
putting her hands on his shoulders. Dear dear doctor, Rank.
Death mustn't take you away from Torvald and me. Rank.

(27:26):
It is a loss you would easily recover from those
who are gone. Are soon forgotten, Norah, looking at him anxiously.
Do you believe that rank people form new ties? And then, Norah,
who will form new ties? Rank? Both you and Helmer

(27:48):
when I am gone, you yourself are already on the
high road to it. I think, what did that missus
Lynde want here last night? Norah? Ho ho, You don't
mean to say you are jealous of poor Christine Rank.
Yes I am. She will be my successor in this
house when I am done for this woman, will Norah? Hush?

(28:12):
Don't speak so loud. She is in that room Rank
today again. There you see, Norah, she has only come
to sew my dress for me. Bless my soul. How
unreasonable you are? Sits down on the sofa. Be nice now,
doctor Rank, And tomorrow you will see how beautiful I

(28:34):
shall dance. And you can imagine I am doing it
all for you and for Torval too. Of course takes
various things out of the box, Doctor Rank. Come and
sit down here and I will show you something Rank.
Sitting down? What is it? Norah? Just look at those

(28:57):
Rank silk stockings, Nora, flesh colored? Aren't they lovely? It
is so dark here now? But tomorrow, no, no, no,
you must only look at the feet. Oh, well, you
may have leave to look at the legs too, Rank. Hmm, Nora,

(29:19):
why are you looking so critical? Don't you think they
will fit me? Rank? I have no means of forming
an opinion about that. Nora looks at him for a
moment for a shame, hits him lightly on the ear
with the stockings. That's to punish you, folds him up again, Rank,

(29:41):
And what other nice things am I to be allowed
to see? Nora? Not a single thing? Ar for being
so naughty, She looks among the things, humming to herself. Rank,
after a short silence. When I am sitting here talking
to you as intimately as this, I cannot imagine for

(30:03):
a moment what would have become of be if I
had never come into this house, Nora, smiling, I believe
you do feel thoroughly at home with us, Rank in
a lower voice, looking straight in front of him. And
to be obliged to leave it all, Nora, nonsense, You

(30:25):
are not going to leave it Rank, as before, and
not being able to leave behind one the slightest token
of one's gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret, nothing but
an empty place which the first comer can feel as
well as any other, Nora. And if I asked you

(30:46):
now for a no rank for what, Nora? For a
big proof of your friendship rank? Yes, yes, Nora, I
mean a tremendously big favor rank. Would you really make
me so happy for once? Nora? Ah, But you don't

(31:11):
know what it is yet rank No. But tell me, Norah,
I really can't, doctor Rink. It is something out of
all reason. It means advice and help and a favor rank.
The bigger a thing it is, the better. I can't
conceive what it is. You mean, Do tell me. Haven't

(31:34):
I your confidence, Norah more than anyone else? I know
you are my truest and best friend, and so I
will tell you what it is well, Doctor Rink. It
is something you must help me to prevent. You know
how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvold loves me. He would

(31:57):
never for a moment hesitate to give his life for
me rank leaning towards her, Nora, do you think he
is the only one, Nora with a slight start, the
only one rank, the only one who would gladly give
his life for your sake? Nora, sadly is that it. Rank.

(32:24):
I was determined you should know it before I went away,
And there will never be a better opportunity than this.
Now you know it, Nora. And now you know too
that you can trust me as you would trust no
one else. Nora rises deliberately and quietly let me pass.

(32:45):
Rank makes room for her to pass him, but sits
still Norah. Nora at the hall door, Helen bring in
the lamp, goes over to the stove. Dear doctor Rank.
That was really horrid of you, Rank, to have loved

(33:05):
you as much as anyone else does. Was that horrid? Nora?
No but to go and tell me so? There was
really no need, Rank, What do you mean did you know?
Maid enters with lamp, puts it down on the table
and goes out. Nora. Missus Helmer, tell me, had you

(33:30):
any idea of this? Nora? Oh? How do I know
whether I had or whether I hadn't. I really can't
tell you to think you could be so clumsy, doctor Rank.
We were getting on so nicely. Rank well at all events.
You know now that you can command me body and soul.

(33:52):
So won't you speak out? Nora, looking at him after
what happened, Rank, I beg you to let me know
what it is. Nora, I can't tell you anything now, Rank. Yes, yes,
you mustn't punish me in that way. Let me have

(34:14):
permission to do for you whatever a man may do. Norah,
you can do nothing for me now. Besides, I really
don't need any help at all. You will find that
the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. It
really is, so, of course it is. Sits down in
the rocking chair and looks at him with a smile.

(34:37):
You are a nice sort of man, doctor, Rank. Don't
you feel ashamed of yourself? Now? The lamp has come Rank,
not a bit. But perhaps I had better go forever, Nora. No,
indeed you shall not. Of course you must come here
just as before. You know very well. Tarvald can't do

(35:00):
without you. Rank. Yes, but you, Norah, Oh, I am
always tremendously pleased when you come. Rank. It is just
that that put me on the wrong track. You are
a riddle to me. I have often thought you would
almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer's. Norah. Yes,

(35:26):
you see, there are some people one loves best and
others whom one would almost always rather have as companions. Rank. Yes,
there is something in that, Nora. When I was at home,
of course, I loved Papa best, but I always thought
it tremendous fun if I could steal down into the

(35:48):
maid's rooms, because they never moralized at all and talk
to each other about such entertaining things. Rank, I see
it is there place I have taken, Norah jumping up
and going to him. Oh, dear nice doctor, Rank. I
never meant that at all, but surely you can understand

(36:12):
that being with Tarvald is a little like being with Papa.
Termade from the hall made if you please, ma'am whispers
and hands her a card. Nora, glancing at the card, Oh,
puts it in her pocket. Rank. Is there anything wrong, Nora, No, no,

(36:36):
not in the least. It is only something. It is
my new dress. Rank. What your dress is lying there? Nora? Oh, yes,
that one. But this is another. I ordered it. Tarval
mustn't know about it. Rank. Oh, then that was the
great secret, Nora. Of course, just go into him. He

(36:59):
is sitting in the inner room. Keep him as long
as Rank, make your mind easy. I won't let him escape.
Goes into Helmer's room. Nora to the maid, and he
is standing waiting in the kitchen. Maid. Yes, he came
up the backstairs, Nora, But didn't you tell him no

(37:23):
one was in made? Yes, but it was no good Nora.
He won't go away, Maid, No, he says, he won't
until he has seen you. Ma'am. Nora, Well, let him
come in, but quietly, Helen. You mustn't say anything about

(37:45):
it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband, Maide. Yes, ma'am,
I quite understand. Exit Nora. Ah, this dreadful thing is
going to happen. It will happen in spite of me. No, no, no,
it can't happen. It shan't happen. She bolts the door

(38:07):
of Helmer's room. The maid opens the hall door for
Krogstad and shuts it after him. He is wearing a
fur coat, high boots and a fur cap. Nora, advancing
towards him, speak low, my husband is at home, krogstaid,
No matter about that, Nora. What do you want of me,

(38:31):
Crogstead an explanation of something, Nora, Make haste? Then what
is it? Krogstaid? You know I suppose that I have
got my dismissal Nora, I couldn't prevent it, mister Crostad.
I fought as hard as I could on your side,

(38:52):
but it was no good. Crogstad, does your husband love
you so little? Then he knows what I can expose
you to? And yet he ventures Nora, how can you
suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort? Kroxtaid,
I didn't suppose so at all. It would not be

(39:13):
the least like our dear Tarvald Helmer to show so
much courage, Nora. Mister croxtaid, a little respect for my husband, please,
krox said, certainly, all the respect he deserves. But since
you have kept the matter so carefully to yourself, I

(39:34):
make bold to suppose that you have a little clearer
idea than you had yesterday of what it actually is.
You have done, Nora, more than you could ever teach me. Croxdaid, Yes,
such a bad lawyer as I am, Norah, What is
it you want of me? Kroxtaid, only to see how

(39:58):
you were, missus Helmer. I have been thinking about you
all day long. A mere cashier, a quill driver, a
well a man like me, even he has a little
of what is called feeling, you know, Norah, show it.
Then think of my little children, crogstaid, have you and

(40:22):
your husband thought of mine? But never mind about that.
I only wanted to tell you that you need not
take this matter too seriously. In the first place, there
will be no accusation made on my part, Nora, No,
of course not. I was sure of that, crostaid. The

(40:44):
whole thing can be arranged amicably. There is no reason
why any one should know anything about it. It will
remain a secret between us three, Nora. My husband must
never get to know anything about it. Crogstead, how will
you be able to prevent it? Am I to understand

(41:05):
that you can pay the balance that is owing? Norah? No,
not just at present, Crostead. Or perhaps that you have
some expedient for raising the money soon, Norah, No expedient
that I mean to make use of Crostad. Well, in

(41:26):
any case, it would have been of no use to you.
Now if you stood there with ever so much money
in your hand. I would never part with your bond, Norah.
Tell me what purpose you mean to put it to, Croxtead.
I shall only preserve it, keep it in my possession.

(41:49):
No one who was not concerned in the matter shall
have the slightest hint of it, so that if the
thought of it has driven you to any desperate resolution, Norah,
it has Crostaid if you had it in your mind
to run away from your home, Nora, I had Crostaid,

(42:10):
or even something worse, Nora. How could you know that
Crostaid give up the idea? Nora? How did you know
I had thought of that, croxtaid? Most of us think
of that at first. I did too, But I hadn't
the courage, Nora. Faintly, no more, had I, Crostad in

(42:36):
a tone of relief. No, that's it, isn't it. You
hadn't the courage either, Nora. No, I haven't. I haven't, croxtaid. Besides,
it would have been a great piece of folly. Once
the great storm at home is over. I have a
letter for your husband in my pocket, Norah, telling him

(43:01):
everything CrOx said in as lenient a manner as I
possibly could, Norah quickly, he mustn't get the letter, tear
it up. I will find some means of getting money, Croxtaid.
Excuse me, missus Helmer, but I think I told you
just now, Nora, I am not speaking of what I

(43:21):
owe you. Tell me what sum you are asking my
husband for and I will get the money. Croxtaid. I
am not asking your husband for a penny, Nora. What
do you want then, Croxtaid, I will tell you. I
want to rehabilitate myself, missus Helmer. I want to get on,

(43:47):
and in that your husband must help me. For the
last year and a half I have not had a
hand in anything dishonorable. Amid all that time, I have
been struggling in the moment restricted circumstances. I was content
to work my way up step by step. Now I
am turned out and I am not going to be

(44:10):
satisfied with merely being taken into favor again. I want
to get on. I tell you I want to get
into the bank again, in a higher position. Your husband
must make a place for me, Nora. That he will
never do Krogstad, he will. I know him. He dare

(44:32):
not protest. And as soon as I am in there
again with him, then you will see within a year
I shall be the manager's right hand. It will be
Neil's Krogstead and not Torvald Helmer who manages the bank. Nora.
That's a thing you will never see, Krustaid. Do you

(44:56):
mean that you will Nora, I have courage enough for
it now, Croxtaid, Oh, you can't frighten me, a fine
spoilt lady like you, Nora, you will see. You will
see Croxtaid under the ice, perhaps down into the cold,

(45:19):
cold black water, and then in the spring, to float
up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognizable, with your
hair fallen out. Nora, you can't frighten me, CrOx said,
nor you me. People don't do such things, Missus Helmer. Besides,

(45:41):
what use would it be? I should have him completely
in my power all the same, Nora. Afterwards, when I'm
no longer, CrOx said, have you forgotten that it is
I who have the keeping of your reputation? Nora stands
and speechlessly, looking at him. Well, now I have warned

(46:04):
you do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had
my letter, I shall expect a message from him, and
be sure you remember that it is your husband himself
who forced me into such ways as this. Again, I
will never forgive him for that. Goodbye, Missus. Helmer exits

(46:26):
through the hall. Nora goes to the hall door, opens
it slightly and listens. He is going. He is not
putting the letter in the box. Oh no, no, that's impossible,
opens the door by degrees. What is that he is
standing outside? He is not going downstairs? Is he hesitating?

(46:51):
Can he? A letter drops into the box. Then Crocstad's
footsteps are heard until they die away as he goes downstairs.
Nora utters a stifled cry and runs across the room
to the table by the sofa. A sharp pause. Norah

(47:12):
in the letter box steals across to the hall door.
There it lies Turvald, Torvald. There is no hope for us. Now.
Missus Lynde comes in from the room on the left,
carrying the dress. Missus Lynde. There, I can't see anything
more to mend. Now would you like to try it on? Norah?

(47:36):
In a hoarse whisper, Christine, come here, missus Lynde, throwing
the dress down on the sofa. What is the matter
with you? You look so agitated? Norah? Come here? Do
you see that letter there? Look you can see it

(47:56):
through the glass in the letter box? Yes, I see it, Norah.
That letter is from Krogstad, missus Lynde. Nora, it was
Krogstad who lent you the money, Nora. Yes, And now
to Revald will know all about it, Missus Lynde. Believe me, Nora,

(48:22):
that's the best thing for both of you. Norah, you
don't know all I forged a name, Missus Lynde. Good heavens, Norah.
I only want to say this to you, Christine. You
must be my witness, Missus Lynde, your witness. What do

(48:44):
you mean? What am I to, Norah? If I should
go out of my mind and it might easily happen,
Missus Lynde, Norah, Norah, or if anything else should happen
to me, anything, for instance, that might prevent my being here,
Missus Lynde, Norah, Nora, you are quite out of your mind, Nora.

(49:08):
And if it should happen that there was someone who
wanted to take all the responsibility, all the blame, you understand,
Missus Lynde. Yes, yes, But how can you suppose, Norah?
Then you must be my witness that it is not true. Christine.
I am not out of my mind at all. I

(49:29):
am in my right senses now, and I tell you
no one else has known anything about it. I and
I alone did the whole thing. Remember that, Missus Lynde.
I will, indeed, but I don't understand all this, Nora,
how could you understand it? A wonderful thing is going

(49:53):
to happen, Missus Lynde. A wonderful thing, Nora. Yeah, yes,
a wonderful thing. But it is so terrible Christine, it
mustn't happen, not for all the world, Missus Lynde. I
will go at once and see Crostad Norah. Don't go

(50:16):
to him. He will do you some harm. Missus Lynde.
There was a time when he would gladly do anything
for my sake, Nora. He Missus Lynde. Where does he live, Norah?
How should I know? Yes? Feeling in her pocket, here

(50:37):
is his card, But the letter, the letter. Helmer calls
from his room, knocking at the door. Norah. Nora cries
out anxiously, Oh what's that? What do you want? Helmer?
Don't be so frightened. We are not coming in. You
have locked the door. Are you trying on your dress? Nora? Yes,

(51:01):
that's it. I look so nice, Torvald. Missus Lynde, who
has read the card? I see he lives at the
corner here, Nora, Yes, but it's no use, it is hopeless.
The letter is lying there in the box, Missus Lynde,
and your husband keeps the key, Norah. Yes, always, Missus

(51:25):
Lynde Crocsdad must ask for his letter back unread. He
must find some pretense, Nora. But it is just at
this time that Tarvald generally, Missus Lynde, you must delay him.
Go into him in the meantime. I will come back
as soon as I can. She goes out hurriedly through

(51:46):
the hall door. Nora goes to Helmer's door, opens it
and peep in Tarvald Helmer from the inner room. Well,
may I venture at last to come into my own
room again? Come along, Rank. Now you will see halting
in the doorway. But what is this, Nora? What is what?

(52:08):
Dear Helmer? Rank led me to expect a splendid transformation
Rank in the doorway. I understood so, But evidently I
was mistaken, Nora. Yes, nobody is to have a chance
of admiring me in my dress until tomorrow, Helmer. But

(52:30):
my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you
been practicing too much? Nora? No, I have not practiced
at all, Helmer. But you will need to Norah. Yes,
indeed I shall, Travald, but I can't get on a
bit without you to help me. I have absolutely forgotten

(52:51):
the whole thing, Helmer. Oh, we will soon work it
up again, Nora, Yes, help me, Torvald, promise that you will.
I am so nervous about it, all the people. You
must give yourself up to me entirely, this evening. Not
the tiniest bit of business. You mustn't even take a

(53:12):
pin in your hand, will you promise, Tarvald. Dear Helmer,
I promise this evening I will be wholly and absolutely
at your service, you helpless little mortal. Ah. By the way,
first of all, I will just goes toward the hall door, Nora.
What are you going to do there? Helmer? Only see

(53:35):
if any letters have come? Nora. No, no, don't do that, Tarvald, Helmer,
why not, Nora, Tarvald, please don't? There is nothing there, Helmer.
Well let me look. Turns to go to the letter box. Nora.
At the piano plays the first bars of the tarantella.

(53:58):
Helmer stops in the doorway. Aha, Nora, I can't dance
tomorrow if I don't practice with you, Helmer going up
to her. Are you really so afraid of it, dear Nora, Yes,
so dreadfully afraid of it. Let me practice at once.
There is time now before we go to dinner. Sit

(54:19):
down and play for me to avauld dear, criticize me
and correct me as you play, Helmer with great pleasure
if you wish me to sits down at the piano.
Nora takes out of the box a tambourine and a long,
variegated shawl. She hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then

(54:39):
she springs to the front of the stage and calls out, Now,
play for me. I am going to dance. Helmer plays,
and Nora dances. Rank stands by the piano behind Helmer
and looks on Helmer as he plays. Slower, slower, Nora.
I can do it any other way, Helmer, Not so violently, Nora, Nora,

(55:06):
this is the way. Helmer stops playing. No, No, that
is not a bit right, Nora, laughing and swinging the tambourine.
Didn't I tell you so? Rank? Let me play for her,
Helmer getting up, Yes, do I can correct her better?

(55:26):
Then Rank sits down at the piano and plays. Nora
dances more and more wildly. Helmer has taken up a
position beside the stove, and during her dance gives her
frequent instructions. She does not seem to hear him. Her
hair comes down and falls over her shoulders. She pays

(55:48):
no attention to it, but goes on dancing. Enter Missus Lynde,
Missus Lynde, standing as if spellbound in the doorway, Oh Nora,
as she dances such fun Christine Helmer, My dear Nora,
you are dancing as if your life depended on it. Nora,

(56:13):
So it does, Helmer, Stop Rank, This is sheer madness. Stop,
I tell you. Rank stops playing, and Nora suddenly stands still.
Helmer goes up to her. I could never have believed it.
You have forgotten everything I taught you, Norah, throwing away

(56:34):
the tambourine. There you see, Helmer. You will want a
lot of coaching, Nora. Yes, you see how much I
need it. You must coach me up to the last minute.
Promise me that, Torvald Helmer, you can depend on me. Nora.

(56:55):
You must not think of anything but me, either today
or tomorrow. You mustn't open a single letter, not even
open the letter box. Helmer, Ah, are you still afraid
of that fellow, Norah? Yes, indeed I am Helmer, Norah

(57:15):
I can tell from your looks that there is a
letter from him lying there. Nora. I don't know. I
think there is, but you must not read anything of
that kind now. Nothing horrid must come between us until
this is all over. Rank whispers to Helmer. You mustn't

(57:36):
contradict her, Helmer taking her in his arms. The child
shall have her way. But tomorrow night, after you have danced, Nora,
then you will be free. The maid appears in the
doorway to the right. Maid. Dinner is served, ma'am Nora.

(58:00):
We will have champagne. Helen made very good, ma'am. Exit Helmer, hullo.
Are we going to have a banquet? Norah? Yes, a
champagne banquet until the small hours calls out, and a
few macaroons Helen lots, just for once, Helmer, Calm, calm,

(58:24):
don't be so wild and nervous, be my own little
skylark as you used to Norah. Yes, dear, I will,
but go in now, and you too, Doctor Rink. Christine,
you must help me to do up my hair. Rank
whispers to Helmer as they go out. I suppose there

(58:45):
is nothing. She is not expecting anything, Helmer. Far from it,
my dear, fellow. It is simply nothing more than this
childish nervousness I was telling you of. They go into
the right hand room, Norah. Well, Missus Lynde gone out
of town, Norah, I could tell from your face, Missus Lynde,

(59:11):
he is coming home tomorrow evening. I wrote a note
for him. Norah. You should have let it alone. You
must prevent nothing. After all, it is splendid to be
waiting for a wonderful thing to happen. Missus Lynde. What
is it that you are waiting for, Nora, Oh, you

(59:31):
wouldn't understand. Go into them. I will come in a moment.
Missus Lynde goes into the dining room. Norah stands still
for a little while, as if to compose herself. Then
she looks at her watch. Five o'clock, seven hours until midnight,
and then four and twenty four hours until the next midnight.

(59:54):
Then the tarantella will be over, twenty four and seven
thirty one hours to live. Helmer from the doorway on
the right, where's my little skylark? Norah going to him
with her arms outstretched. Here she is end of Act

(01:00:14):
two