登陆注册
16237600000005

第5章 ACT I(5)

Nora (meditatively,and with a half smile).Yes--someday,perhaps,after many years,when I am no longer as nice-looking as I am now.Don't laugh at me!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.Now,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 in installments,and 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.Icouldn't let my children be shabbily dressed;I have felt obliged to use up all he gave me for them,the sweet little darlings!

Mrs.Linde.So it has all had to come out of your own necessaries 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 have never spent more than half of it;I have always bought the simplest and cheapest things.Thank Heaven,any clothes look well on me,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?

Mrs.Linde.Quite so.

Nora.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 Ilocked 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 earning money.It was like being a man.

Mrs.Linde.How much have you been able to pay off in that way?

Nora.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--Mrs.Linde.What!Who was it?

Nora.Be quiet!--that he had died;and that when his will was opened it contained,written in big letters,the instruction:

"The lovely Mrs.Nora Helmer is to have all I possess paid over to her at once in cash."Mrs.Linde.But,my dear Nora--who could the man be?

Nora.Good gracious,can't you understand?There was no old gentleman at all;it was only 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.(Jumps up.)My goodness,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 Torvald likes it!And,think of it,soon the spring will come and the big blue sky!

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.)Mrs.Linde (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 be for Torvald.

Servant (at the hall door).Excuse me,ma'am--there is a gentleman to see the master,and as the doctor is with him--Nora.

Who is it?

Krogstad (at the door).It is I,Mrs.Helmer.(Mrs.LINDE starts,trembles,and turns to the window.)Nora (takes a step towards him,and speaks in a strained,low voice).You?What is it?What do you want to see my husband about?

Krogstad.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--

Krogstad.Nothing but dry business matters,Mrs.Helmer;absolutely nothing else.

Nora.Be so good as to go into the study,then.(She bows indifferently to him and shuts the door into the hall;then comes back and makes up the fire in the stove.)Mrs.Linde.Nora--who was that man?

Nora.A lawyer,of the name of Krogstad.

Mrs.Linde.Then it really was he.

Nora.Do you know the man?

Mrs.Linde.I used to--many years ago.At one time he was a solicitor's clerk in our town.

Nora.Yes,he was.

Mrs.Linde.He is greatly altered.

Nora.He made a very unhappy marriage.

Mrs.Linde.He is a widower now,isn't he?

Nora.With several children.There now,it is burning up.Shuts the door of the stove and moves the rocking-chair aside.)Mrs.Linde.They say he carries on various kinds of business.

Nora.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;Iwould rather go in to your wife for a little while.(Shuts the door and sees Mrs.LINDE.)I beg your pardon;I am afraid I am disturbing you too.

Nora.No,not at all.(Introducing him).Doctor Rank,Mrs.Linde.

Rank.I have often heard Mrs.Linde's name mentioned here.Ithink I passed you on the stairs when I arrived,Mrs.Linde?

Mrs.Linde.Yes,I go up very slowly;I can't manage stairs well.

Rank.Ah!some slight internal weakness?

Mrs.Linde.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?

Mrs.Linde.I have come to look for work.

Rank.Is that a good cure for overwork?

Mrs.Linde.One must live,Doctor Rank.

Rank.Yes,the general opinion seems to be that it is necessary.

Nora.Look here,Doctor Rank--you know you want to live.

同类推荐
  • 摩登伽经

    摩登伽经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 般若灯论释

    般若灯论释

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • ANTI-DuRING

    ANTI-DuRING

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 观物外篇

    观物外篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • MARY BARTON

    MARY BARTON

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 一封关于青春的长信

    一封关于青春的长信

    你写了一封信,想寄给曾经的他。他却在曾经写了一封信,想寄给现在的你。如果你们同时看到这封关于青春的长信呢?青春伊始,年华已逝,我们是否还能在曾经那个飘满梦想的世界里徜徉与快乐。
  • 我,我的青春!

    我,我的青春!

    我叫李晴天,刚回国。我是个韩国人,但是我的韩文,不怎么好。我从小,生活在美国,所以我的英语非常流利。在美国那边,我是个学霸。但是,因为我爸妈的事业,我要来韩国啦!
  • 王俊凯之北城旧巷愿安好

    王俊凯之北城旧巷愿安好

    王俊凯,爱上我你后悔吗?一个女孩问。我不后悔,从你在雨夜晕倒的那一刻,我想我就喜欢上了你。我知道,我很自私,但这一切都是因为我喜欢你。王俊凯看着那个女孩说。
  • 豪门婚宠:权少老公太惹火

    豪门婚宠:权少老公太惹火

    爷爷是商界大佬,腹黑霸道的洛靖祺从没想过会和自己的美术老师宁心杠上,而且对方还是个有夫之妇。越纠缠,发现自己越把她当成了一盘菜,怎么办?吃不吃?管她呢,先把这个“三天不打,上房揭瓦”的女人抢了回去再说。宁心:“他找不到老婆了吗?一天到晚盯着我做什么?”还有还有,说话就说话,做什么脱衣服?不过,嘿嘿,洛大少爷身材还不错呢!
  • 北城远方

    北城远方

    花诺诺,如果这世上还能有谁比我更爱你,我想也只有张艺了吧
  • 神灭仙亡

    神灭仙亡

    上古世界,乃,修真世界!当繁星坠落,仙魔诛变,三界六道,将发生巨变!群雄逐鹿,高手如云!
  • 大法鼓经卷上

    大法鼓经卷上

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 超能对决

    超能对决

    仙界999999年,魔界的至尊“邪魔仙”逸楼,修炼成魔界无上功法“万魔噬天”后,率领魔兵魔将,攻打仙界、佛界,这一战是仙魔斗争史上最艰难的一站,魔界以一敌二是未落下风,天兵天将,佛兵佛将死伤无数,眼看仙界、佛界就要失守,所有仙、佛都会沦为魔界的阶下囚,天帝无奈布下“乾坤结界”护住人界苍生后,启动“无上转世大阵”,大阵一动,巨大转世力裹住了,仙界、佛界、魔界、所有成员,包括神兽、魔兽一起投入六道中的人间道,仙魔之战就这样以同归于尽的方式结束,可能您觉得故事到此结束了,其实故事才刚刚开始,我们要讲的就是这些仙佛魔转世到人间后的故事、、、
  • 另类的“爸爸去哪儿”

    另类的“爸爸去哪儿”

    手握一份“爸爸去哪儿”征集令,程天浩的双眼立刻亮成一对小灯泡。离异后,跟儿子扬扬之间的关系就渐渐疏远了。“‘爸爸去哪儿’原班幕后团队,为您和孩子打造一场温馨的体验。扫二维码报名参赛,获胜者还可以获得神秘大奖一份……..”一拍桌子,这可是难得的与扬扬相处的契机啊!儿子又是“爸爸去哪儿”的绝对忠粉。还有神秘大奖,简直了!满心期待,一路兴奋地奔至约定地点。结果……..什么叫做“唯一一对人类父子”啊?喂,死吸血鬼!叫你家儿子离扬扬远一点!扬扬,跟着叔叔千万别睡啊。我给你们跪了。“爸爸去哪儿”不是相亲节目啊大爷们!………….一路温馨搞笑,看程天浩父子如何在另类中求生存、交好友、结良缘。
  • 当着你的面,高歌我自己

    当着你的面,高歌我自己

    最近的季节,却是隔了最远的秋天。她看不清荣辱悲喜,她辨不明善恶是非。恍然中只是有个声音温柔却坚定,然后伸出手,替她挡住每一次的悲伤与无措。“你从来没有让我失望。”彼时,她长发垂腰,提着纯白的裙尾,一步一亭亭。最后的最后,他们都不过是彼此脑海中一个淡得模糊的影子,就像她曾经那么期待的秋天。