A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [Ibsen, Henrik]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Marriage -- Drama, Man-woman relationships -- Drama, Norwegian drama -- Translations into English, Wives -- Drama
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Published: 2021-03-15T23:02:19+00:00

Act III

The table has been placed in the middle of the stage, with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above.

Mrs. Linde is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door.

Mrs. Linde Looking at her watch. Not yet⁠—and the time is nearly up. If only he does not⁠—. Listens again. Ah, there he is. Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers. Come in. There is no one here.

Krogstad In the doorway. I found a note from you at home. What does this mean?

Mrs. Linde It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you.

Krogstad Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here?

Mrs. Linde It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.

Krogstad Coming into the room. Are the Helmers really at a dance tonight?

Mrs. Linde Yes, why not?

Krogstad Certainly⁠—why not?

Mrs. Linde Now, Nils, let us have a talk.

Krogstad Can we two have anything to talk about?

Mrs. Linde We have a great deal to talk about.

Krogstad I shouldn’t have thought so.

Mrs. Linde No, you have never properly understood me.

Krogstad Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all the world⁠—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turns up?

Mrs. Linde Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?

Krogstad Didn’t you?

Mrs. Linde Nils, did you really think that?

Krogstad If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time?

Mrs. Linde I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.

Krogstad Wringing his hands. So that was it. And all this⁠—only for the sake of money!

Mrs. Linde You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then.

Krogstad That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for anyone else’s sake.

Mrs. Linde Indeed I don’t know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had the right to do it.

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