A Doll's House (Et Dukkehjem)

A DOLL'S HOUSE

Hide the Christmas tree properly, Helene.

The children mustn't see it until tonight when it's decorated.

-How much? -Half a krone.

Here's one krone. Keep the change.

ls that my skylark twittering? When did my little squirrel come home?

Just now. Come here, Torvald. See what I've bought.

All that? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?

Surely we can spend a little. Our first Christmas without having to save.

-We mustn't waste money. -Just a teeny bit.

Now you'll get a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.

-Not until New Year's Day. -We can borrow until then.

Nora! Aren't you being irresponsible again?

Suppose l borrowed 1 000 kroner which you spent for Christmas -

- and on New Year's Eve a roof tile fell on my head. What then?

If something so awful happened l wouldn't care if l was in debt.

-And the people I'd borrowed from? -Who cares about strangers?

You know my views: Never borrow money.

A home that's built on debt is somehow fettered, even ugly.

We will manage the short time that it's still necessary.

If you say so, Torvald.

Now, now! My little songbird mustn't droop its wings.

ls my little squirrel sulking?

What do you think l have here?

Money!

l know that Christmas costs a lot of money.

-Thank you. lt helps a lot. -l should certainly think so.

Come here, Torvald. See what l have bought.

New clothes for lvar. And a sabre.

A horse and a trumpet for Bob.

A doll and a doll's bed for Emmy.

lt's cheap, but she'll soon smash it to pieces anyway.

Dress material and kerchiefs for the maids.

-And this parcel? -You can't see that till tonight.

My little prodigal, what do you want for yourself?

-l don't want anything. -Nonsense! Something, within reason.

l really don't know. Unless ... Torvald?

You could ... well ...

You could give me money! No more than you can spare.

I'll wrap it in gold paper and hang it on the Christmas tree.

What do you call birds that make money just fly away?

Ducks-and-drakes ... But let's do what l suggest.

Yes, if you really bought something for yourself.

But it'll turn into housekeeping money, and l have to pay out again.

lt's a sweet songbird, but it spends a lot of money.

l save as much as l can!

Yes, "as much you can". But you can't!

If you only knew what expenses we skylarks and squirrels have.

You're a funny little one. Just like your father.

Money seems to slip through your fingers.

We must take you as you are. lt's in your blood.

l wish I'd inherited more of papa's good qualities.

l wouldn't want you any different from what you are, my sweet ...

But you look like ... you've something to hide.

Look into my eyes.

Did your sweet tooth indulge itself in town today?

Not a trip to the confectioner's? A macaroon?

-No. -l was only joking, you know,

-l won't do things you don't like. -No, you've given me your word.

Keep you Christmas secrets. They'll be revealed this evening.

-Did you invite Dr. Rank? -No need to.

lt is understood that he will dine with us.

I've ordered an excellent wine. l'm really looking forward to tonight!

So am l. The children will enjoy it.

lt feels good to have safe employment and ample means.

Wonderful.

Last Christmas you shut yourself up till midnight for three weeks -

- making flowers for the tree you wanted to surprise us with.

-The most boring time I've ever had! -l wasn't the least bit bored.

You didn't have much to show for it!

You know the cat got in and tore everything to shreds.

Poor Nora! You did your best to please us.

l'm glad the hard times are over. l don't need to be bored by myself -

- and you need not tire your eyes and your lovely hands.

No, there's no need for that now. lt's wonderful to hear that.

I'll tell you how l think we should arrange things ...

-Someone's coming. -l'm not home to visitors.

-There's a lady to see you. -Show her in.

-And Dr. Rank's here, too. -He went straight to my study?

How do you do, Nora?

You don't seem to remember me.

l'm afraid ...

Kristine! ls it really you?

To think l didn't recognize you! You've changed, you know.

l suppose l have. Ten long years ...

Has it been that long?

The last eight years have been such a happy time.

And now you're back in town?

l arrived by boat this morning.

In time to enjoy Christmas, of course. We will have a good time!

We'll sit here by the stove.

No, in the armchair.

I'll sit in the rocking chair.

Now you look like yourself again.

You're a little paler, and a little thinner, perhaps.

-And much older, Nora. -Maybe a little older. Not much.

How thoughtless of me!

Dear Kristine, can you ever forgive me?

-You're a widow now. -Yes, three years ago.

l saw it in the papers.

l meant to write to you, but something always came up.

-l do understand. -No, it was beastly of me.

What you must have gone through!

He left you nothing to live on? And no children?

Not even a feeling of grief or loss to keep me going.

-How is that possible? -These things happen sometimes.

Completely alone ... That must be very hard on you.

Today l will only think about your affairs.

By the way, we've had a stroke of luck!

My husband's been made Manager of the Savings Bank!

A solicitor's life is uncertain at times.

Especially when he turns down cases that aren't wholly respectable.

He'll start after New Year's.

l'm so looking forward to it. He'll have a good salary and commissions.

l feel so carefree and happy.

lt's wonderful to have lots of money.

lt must be good to have enough.

-No, lots and lots of money! -Haven't you learned sense yet?

Even at school you were an awful spendthrift.

Torvald says l still am. But Nora isn't as impractical as you think.

-We both had to work. -You, too?

Nothing big. Crafts, crochet, embroidering. And other things.

Torvald left his government position when we married.

He had to make more money than before.

But he worked far too hard.

From morning till night. He couldn't take it and got very ill.

The doctors said he had to go to the south.

You spent a year in Italy?

lt wasn't easy to manage.

lt was just after lvar was born. But we had to leave.

A wonderful trip. And it saved Torvald's life.

-lt cost a lot of money. -l'm sure.

4800 krones.

-You were lucky to have it. -We got it from papa.

Didn't your father die just about then?

Yes. And just think, l couldn't go and nurse him.

l was expecting lvar and had to look after Torvald who was very ill.

Dear, kind papa ... l never saw him again.

-So you went to Italy? -Yes. By then we had the money.

-And your husband was cured? -Fit as a fiddle!

But the maid said the doctor arrived the same time l did?

Dr. Rank, our closest friend. He comes every day.

Torvald has never been ill since.

The children are strong and healthy. So am l.

lt's wonderful to be alive and happy.

How dreadful of me!

I've just been talking about myself.

Don't be angry with me.

ls it true that you didn't love your husband?

Why did you marry him, then?

Mother was bedridden and helpless. l had two younger brothers.

l just couldn't refuse his offer.

l suppose not. And he was rich at that time?

Quite well off, l believe. But his business wasn't sound.

When he died, there was nothing left.

l had to struggle along. A small shop, teaching and things that came along.

The last three years l never stopped working.

But now it's over. Mother has passed away.

The boys can support themselves.

-How relieved you must feel. -No, empty. l have no one to live for.

l couldn't stand the place any longer.

Here it must be easier to find something to occupy my mind.

If l could find something permanent. Office work ...

That's very tiring. And you look worn out.

lt would be better to go to a bath.

-l have no father to pay my way! -Don't be angry!

Don't be angry with me. In my situation you feel bitter.

There's no one to work for. Still, one must always be on the alert.

When you told me about your good fortune -

- l was less pleased for your sake than for my own.

You think that Torvald could help you? So he shall!

-I'd really like to help you. -How kind of you.

Especially since you know so little of life's hardships.

A little needlework? You're still a child.

Don't be so superior!

None of you think l could do anything worthwhile!

You think I've had an easy life.

But you've told me about your troubles.

They were nothing. l haven't told you about the important thing.

What important thing?

You dismiss me. You shouldn't do that.

You're proud that you worked so hard for your mother.

l'm proud that l was able to make mother's last days much easier.

-And proud of helping your brothers. -And rightly so!

Listen, Kristine.

l have something that l'm proud of, too.

Speak softly. What if Torvald heard you! No one must know but you.

-What are you talking about? -lt was l who saved Torvald's life.

Torvald wouldn't have lived if he hadn't gone to Italy.

-Your father gave you the money. -Torvald and everyone think so.

Papa didn't give us a shilling. l raised the money. 4800 kroner!

-Did you win the lottery? -The lottery?

-That would be no accomplishment! -How did you raise it?

-Surely you didn't borrow it? -Why not?

A wife can't borrow without her husband's consent.

A wife with a flair for business, who is astute about it ...

l don't understand.

No need to. And l haven't said l actually borrowed the money.

l could have come by it in other ways.

From an admirer. When one is as attractive as l am ...