Author: Henrik Ibsen
Release Date: Mar, 2001 [EBook #2542] [Yes,
we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This
file was first posted on August 5, 2002] [Most recently
updated: August 5, 2002]
Edition: 11
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** Start of the project gutenberg
EBOOK, A doll’s house ***
Prepared by Martin Adamson martin@grassmarket.freeserve.co.uk
by Henrik Ibsen
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.)
ACT I
(Scene.—A room furnished comfortably
and tastefully, but not extravagantly. 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 a piano. 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 the right-hand wall, at the
farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer
the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair;
between the stove and the door, a small table.
Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and
other small objects; a small book-case with well-bound
books. The floors are carpeted, 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
and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on
the table to the right. She leaves the outer door
open after her, and through it is seen a Porter
who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which
he gives to the maid who has opened the door.)
Nora. Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen.
Be sure the children do not see it until this evening,
when it is dressed. (To the Porter, taking out
her purse.) How much?
Porter. Sixpence.
Nora. There is a shilling. No, keep the
change. (The Porter thanks her, and goes out.
Nora shuts the door. She is laughing to
herself, as she takes off her hat and 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 is in. (Still humming,
she goes to the table on the right.)
Helmer (calls out from his room). Is that my
little lark twittering out there?
