| ACT I. |
| ACT II. |
| ACT III. |
Torvald Helmer.
Nora, his wife.
Doctor Rank.
Mrs Linde.
Nils Krogstad.
Helmer’s three young children.
Anne, their nurse.
A Housemaid.
A Porter.
[The action takes place in Helmer’s house.]
[SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but notextravagantly. 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 apiano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window.Near the window are a round table, arm-chairs and a small sofa. In theright-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearerthe footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stoveand the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china andother small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors arecarpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter.
A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open.Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress andcarries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. Sheleaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who iscarrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who hasopened the door.]
NORA.
Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see ituntil this evening, when it is dressed. [To the PORTER, taking out herpurse.] How much?
PORTER.
Sixpence.
NORA.
There is a shilling. No, keep the change. [The PORTER thanks her, and goesout. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hatand 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 isin. [Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.]
HELMER.
[calls out from his room]. Is that my little lark twittering out there?
NORA.
[busy opening some of the parcels]. Yes, it is!
HELMER.
Is it my little squirrel bustling about?
NORA.
Yes!
HELMER.
When did my squirrel come home?
NORA.
Just now. [Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes hermouth.] Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
HELMER.
Don’t disturb me. [A little later, he opens the door and looks intothe room, pen in hand.] Bought, did you say? All these things? Has mylittle spendthrift been wasting money again?
NORA.
Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This isthe first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.
HELMER.
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 atiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots ofmoney.
HEL