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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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[Seats herself upon a footstool close to CHRISTINA, and lays her arms on her friend’s lap.] Oh. don’t be angry with me! Now tell me, is it really true that you didn’t love your husband? What made you marry him, then? MRS. LINDEN My mother was still alive, you see, bedridden and helpless; and then I had my two younger brothers to think of. I didn’t think it would be right for me to refuse him. NORA Perhaps it wouldn’t have been. I suppose he was rich then? MRS. LINDEN Very well off, I believe. But his business was uncertain. It fell to pieces at his death, and there was nothing left. NORA And then-? MRS. LINDEN Then I had to fight my way by keeping a shop, a little school, anything I could turn my hand to. The last three years have been one long struggle for me. But now it is over, Nora. My poor mother no longer needs me; she is at rest. And the boys are in business, and can look after themselves. NORA How free your life must feel! MRS. LINDEN No, Nora; only inexpressibly empty. No one to live for! [Stands up restlessly.] That’s why I could not bear to stay any longer in that out-of-theway corner. Here it must be easier to find something to take one up-to occupy one’s thoughts. If I could only get some settled employment-some office work. NORA But, Christina, that’s such drudgery, and you look worn out already. It would be ever so much better for you to go to some watering-place and rest. MRS. LINDEN [Going to the window.] I have no father to give me the money, Nora. NORA[Rising.] Oh, don’t be vexed with me. MRS. LINDEN[Going to her.] My dear Nora, don’t you be vexed with me. The worst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. You have no one to work for, yet you have to be always on the strain. You must live; and so you become selfish. When I heard of the happy change in your fortunes-can you believe it?- I was glad for my own sake more than for yours. NORA How do you mean? Ah, I see! You think Torvald can perhaps do something for you. MRS. LINDEN Yes; I thought so. NORA And so he shall, Christina. Just you leave it all to me. I shall lead up to it beautifully!- I shall think of some delightful plan to put him in a good humour! Oh, I should so love to help you. MRS. LINDEN How good of you, Nora, to stand by me so warmly! Doubly good in you, who knows so little of the troubles and burdens of life. NORA I? I know so little of-? MRS. LINDEN[Smiling.] Oh, well-a little fancy-work, and so forth.- You’re a child, Nora. NORA [Tosses her head and paces the room.] Oh, come, you mustn’t be so patronising! |
