KROG. Most of us think of that at first. I did too—but I hadn’t the courage.

NORA [faintly]. No more than I.

KROG. [in 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.

KROG. Besides, it would have been a great piece of folly. Once the first storm at home is over—— I have a letter for your husband in my pocket.

NORA. Telling him everything?

KROG. In as lenient a manner as I possibly could.

NORA [quickly]. He mustn’t get the letter. Tear it up. I will find some means of getting money.

KROG. Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer, but I think I told you just now——

NORA. I am not speaking of what I owe you. Tell me what sum you are asking my husband for, and I will get the money.

KROG. I am not asking your husband for a penny.

NORA. What do you want then?

KROG. I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs. Helmer; I want to get on, and in that your husband must help me. For the last year and a half I have not had a hand in anything dishonorable, and all that time I have been struggling in most 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 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!

KROG. He will; I know him; he dare 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 Nils Krogstad and not Torvald Helmer who manages the bank.

NORA. That’s a thing you will never see!

KROG. Do you mean that you will——

NORA. I have courage enough for it now.

KROG. Oh, you can’t frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you——

NORA. You will see, you will see.

KROG. Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-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.

KROG. Nor you me. People don’t do such things, Mrs. Helmer. Besides, what use would it be? I should have him completely in my power all the same.