MRS. LINDE : Not yetand theres hardly any time left. If only hes notAh, there he is.

Come in.
Nobodys here.
KROGSTAD : I found a note from you at home. Whats this all about?
MRS. LINDE: I just had to talk to you
KROGSTAD: Oh? And it just had to be here in this house?
MRS. LINDE: At my place it was impossible; my room hasnt a private entrance. Come in; were all
alone. The maids asleep and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.
KROGSTAD: Well, well, the Helmers are dancing tonight? Really?
MRS. LINDE: Yes, why not?
KROGSTAD: How truewhy not?
MRS. LINDE: All right, Krogstad, lets talk.
KROGSTAD: Do we two have anything more to talk about?
MRS. LINDE: We have a great deal to talk about.
KROGSTAD: I wouldnt have thought so.
MRS. LINDE: No, because youve never understood me, really.
KROGSTAD: Was there anything more to understand except whats all too common in life? A
heartless woman throws over a man the moment a better catch comes by.
MRS. LINDE: you think Im so thoroughly heartless? You think I broke it off lightly?
KROGSTAD: Didnt you?
MRS. LINDE: Nilsis that what you really thought?
KROGSTAD: If you cared, then why did you write me the way you did?
MRS. LINDE: What else could I do? If I had to break off with you, then it was my obligation as well to
root out everything you felt for me.
1

KROGSTAD: So that was it. And this all this, simply for money!
MRS. LINDE: Dont forget I had a helpless mother and two small brothers. We couldnt wait for you,
Nils; you had such a long road ahead of you then.

KROGSTAD: That may be; but you still hadnt the right to abandon me for somebody elses sake.
MRS. LINDE: Yes I dont know. So many, many times Ive asked myself if I did have that right
KROGSTAD: When I lost you , it was as if all the solid ground dissolved from under my feet. Look at
me; Im a half drowned man now, hanging onto a wrech.
MRS. LINDE: Help may be near.
KROGSTAD: It was nearbut then you came and blocked it off.
MRS. LINDE: Without my knowing it, Nils. Today for the first time I learned that its you Im replacing at
the bank.
KROGSTAD: All rightI believe you. But now that you know, will you step aside?
MRS. LINDE: No, because that wouldt benefit you in the slightest.
KROGSTAD: Not benefit me, hm! Id step aside anyway.
MRS: LINDE: Ive learned to be realistic. Life and hard, bitter necessity have taught me that.
KROGSTAD: And lifes taught me never to trust fine phrases.
MRS. LINDE: Then lifes taught you a very sound thing. But you do have to trust in actions, dont you?
KROGSTAD: What does that mean?
MRS. LINDE: You said you were hanging on like a half drowned man to a wreck.
KROGSTAD: Ive good reason to say that.
MRS. LINDE: Im also like a half drowned woman on a wreck. No one to care about, and no one to care
for.
KROGSTAD: You made your choice.
2

MRS. LINDE: There wasnt any choice then.

KROGSTAD: Sowhat of it?
MRS. LINDE: Nils, if only we two shipwrecked people could reach across to each other.
KROGSTAD: What are you saying?
MRS. LINDE: Two on on ewrech are at least better off than each on his own.
KROGSTAD: Kristine!
MRS. LINDE: Why do you think I came into town?
KROGSTAD: Did you really have some thought of me?
MRS. LINDE: I have to work to go on living. All my born days, as long as I can remember, Ive worked ,
and its been my best and my only joy. But now Im completely alone in the world, so terribly lost nd
forsaken. To work for yourselftheres no joy in that. Nils, give me somethingsomeone to work for.
KROGSTAD: I dont believe all this. Its just some hysterical feminine urge to go out and make a noble
sacrifice.
MRS. LINDE: Have you ever found me to be hysterical?
KROGSTAD: Can you honestly mean this? Tell me do you know everything about my past?
MRS. LINDE: Yes.
KROGSTAD: And you know what they think Im worth around here.
MRS. LINDE: Form what you were saying before, it would seem that with me you could have been
another person.
KROGSTAD: Im positive of that.
MRS. LINDE: Couldnt it happen still?
KROGSTAD: Kristineyoure saying this in all seriousness? Yes, you are! I can see it in you. And do
you really have the courage, then?
3

MRS. LINDE: I need to have someone to care for; and your children need a mother. We both need
each other. Nils, I have faith that youre good at heartIll risk everything together with you.
KROGSTAD: Kristine, thank you, thank you Now I know I can win back place in their eyes. Yesbut I
forgot
MRS. LINDE: Shh! The tarantella. Go now! Go on!
KROGSTAD: Why? What is it?
MRS. LINDE: Hear the dance up there? When thats over, theyll be coming down.
KROGSTAD: Oh, then ill go. Butits all pointless. Of course, you dont know the move I made against
the Helmers.
MRS. LINDE: yes, Nils, I know.
KROGSTAD: And all the same, you have the courage to?
MRS. LINDE: I know how far despair can drive a man like you.
KROGSTAD: Oh, if only I could take it all back.
MRS. LINDE: You easily couldyour letters still lying in the mailbox.
KROGSTAD: Are you sure of that?
MRS. LINDE: Positive. But
KROGSTAD: Is that the meaning of it, then? Youll save your friend at any price. Tell me straight out. Is
that it?
MRS. LINDE: Nilsanyone whos sold herself for somebody else once isnt going to do it agian.
KROGSTAD: Ill demand my letter back.
MRS. LINDE: No, no.
KROGSTAD: Yes, of course. Ill stay here till Helmer comes down; Ill tell him to give me my letter again
that it only involves my dismissalthat he shouldnt read it
MRS. LINDE: No, Nils, dont call the letter back.
4

KROGSTAD: But wasnt that exactly why you wrote me to come here?
MRS. LINDE: Yes, in that first panic. But its been whole day and night since then, and in that time Ive
seen such incredible things in this house. helmets got to hea4rn everything; this dreadful secret has to
be aired; those two have to come to a full understanding; all these lies and evasions cant go on.
KROGSTAD: Well, then, if you want to chance it. But at least theres one thing I can do, and do right
away
MRS. LINDe Go now, go, quick! The dance is over. Were not safe another second.
KROGSTAD: Ill wait for you downstairs.
MRS. LINDE: Yes, please do; take me home.
KROGSTAD: I cant believe it; Ive never been so happy.
MRS. LINDE: How different now! How different!Someone to work for, to live fora home to build. Well,
it is worth the try! Oh, if theyd only come! Ah, there they are.

MRS. LINDE : Not yet and theres hardly any time left if only hes not ah there he is come in nobodys
here
KROGSTAD : I found a note from you at home whats this all about
MRS. LINDE: I just had to talk to you
KROGSTAD: Oh and it just had to be here in this house
MRS. LINDE: At my place it was impossible my room hasnt a private entrance come in were all alone
the maids asleep and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs
KROGSTAD: well well the Helmers are dancing tonight really
MRS. LINDE: Yes why not
KROGSTAD: How true why not
MRS. LINDE: All right Krogstad lets talk
KROGSTAD: Do we two have anything more to talk about
MRS. LINDE: We have a great deal to talk about
KROGSTAD: I wouldnt have thought so
MRS. LINDE: No because youve never understood me really
KROGSTAD: Was there anything more to understand except whats all too common in life a heartless
woman throws over a man the moment a better catch comes by
MRS. LINDE: you think Im so thoroughly heartless you think I broke it off lightly
6

KROGSTAD: Didnt you

MRS. LINDE: Nils is that what you really thought
KROGSTAD: If you cared then why did you write me the way you did
MRS. LINDE: What else could I do If I had to break off with you then it was my obligation as well to root
out everything you felt for me.
KROGSTAD: So that was it and this all this simply for money
MRS. LINDE: Dont forget I had a helpless mother and two small brothers we couldnt wait for you Nils
you had such a long road ahead of you then

KROGSTAD: That may be but you still hadnt the right to abandon me for somebody elses sake
MRS. LINDE: Yes I dont know so many many times Ive asked myself if I did have that right
KROGSTAD: When I lost you it was as if all the solid ground dissolved from under my feet look at me
Im a half drowned man now hanging onto a wreck
MRS. LINDE: Help may be near
KROGSTAD: It was near but then you came and blocked it off
MRS. LINDE: Without my knowing it Nils today for the first time I learned that its you Im replacing at
the bank
KROGSTAD: All right I believe you but now that you know will you step aside
MRS. LINDE: No because that wouldt benefit you in the slightest
KROGSTAD: Not benefit me hm Id step aside anyway
MRS: LINDE: Ive learned to be realistic life and hard bitter necessity have taught me that
KROGSTAD: And lifes taught me never to trust fine phrases
MRS. LINDE: Then lifes taught you a very sound thing but you do have to trust in actions dont you
7

KROGSTAD: What does that mean

MRS. LINDE: You said you were hanging on like a half drowned man to a wreck
KROGSTAD: Ive good reason to say that
MRS. LINDE: Im also like a half drowned woman on a wreck no one to care about and no one to care
for
KROGSTAD: You made your choice
MRS. LINDE: There wasnt any choice then
KROGSTAD: So what of it
MRS. LINDE: Nils if only we two shipwrecked people could reach across to each other
KROGSTAD: What are you saying
MRS. LINDE: Two on one wreck are at least better off than each on his own
KROGSTAD: Kristine
MRS. LINDE: Why do you think I came into town
KROGSTAD: Did you really have some thought of me
MRS. LINDE: I have to work to go on living all my born days as long as I can remember Ive worked
and its been my best and my only joy but now Im completely alone in the world so terribly lost and
forsaken to work for yourself theres no joy in that Nils give me something someone to work for
KROGSTAD: I dont believe all this its just some hysterical feminine urge to go out and make a noble
sacrifice
MRS. LINDE: Have you ever found me to be hysterical
KROGSTAD: Can you honestly mean this tell me do you know everything about my past
MRS. LINDE: Yes
KROGSTAD: And you know what they think Im worth around here
8

MRS. LINDE: Form what you were saying before it would seem that with me you could have been
another person
KROGSTAD: Im positive of that
MRS. LINDE: Couldnt it happen still
KROGSTAD: Kristine youre saying this in all seriousness yes you are I can see it in you and do you
really have the courage then
MRS. LINDE: I need to have someone to care for and your children need a mother we both need each
other Nils I have faith that youre good at heart Ill risk everything together with you
KROGSTAD: Kristine thank you thank you now I know I can win back place in their eyes yes but I forgot
MRS. LINDE: Shh the tarantella go now go on
KROGSTAD: Why what is it
MRS. LINDE: Hear the dance up there when thats over theyll be coming down
KROGSTAD: Oh then Ill go but its all pointless of course you dont know the move I made against the
Helmers
MRS. LINDE: yes Nils I know
KROGSTAD: And all the same you have the courage to
MRS. LINDE: I know how far despair can drive a man like you
KROGSTAD: Oh if only I could take it all back
MRS. LINDE: You easily could your letters still lying in the mailbox
KROGSTAD: Are you sure of that
MRS. LINDE: Positive but
KROGSTAD: Is that the meaning of it then youll save your friend at any price tell me straight out is that
it
MRS. LINDE: Nils anyone whos sold herself for somebody else once isnt going to do it agian
9

KROGSTAD: Ill demand my letter back

MRS. LINDE: No no
KROGSTAD: Yes of course Ill stay here till Helmer comes down Ill tell him to give me my letter again
that it only involves my dismissal that he shouldnt read it
MRS. LINDE: No Nils dont call the letter back
KROGSTAD: But wasnt that exactly why you wrote me to come here
MRS. LINDE: Yes, in that first panic but its been whole day and night since then and in that time Ive
seen such incredible things in this house Helmers got to learn everything this dreadful secret has to be
aired those two have to come to a full understanding all these lies and evasions cant go on
KROGSTAD: Well then if you want to chance it but at least theres one thing I can do and do right away
MRS. LINDE: Go now go quick the dance is over were not safe another second
KROGSTAD: Ill wait for you downstairs
MRS. LINDE: Yes please do take me home
KROGSTAD: I cant believe it Ive never been so happy
MRS. LINDE: How different now how different someone to work for to live for a home to build well it is
worth the try oh if theyd only come ah there they are

10

Not yet and theres hardly any time left / if only hes not / ah there he is / come in /nobodys here
I found a note from you at home / whats this all about
I just had to talk to you
Oh and it just had to be here in this house
At my place it was impossible / my room hasnt a private entrance / come in / were all alone / the
maids asleep and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs
well well the Helmers are dancing tonight / really
Yes why not
How true why not
All right Krogstad / lets talk
Do we two have anything more to talk about
We have a great deal to talk about
I wouldnt have thought so
No because youve never understood me really
11

Was there anything more to understand except whats all too

common in life / a heartless woman throws over a man the
moment a better catch comes by
you think Im so thoroughly heartless / you think I broke it off lightly
Didnt you
Nils is that what you really thought
If you cared then why did you write me the way you did
What else could I do / if I had to break off with you then it was my obligation as well to root out
everything you felt for me
So that was it / and this all this simply for money
Dont forget I had a helpless mother and two small brothers / we couldnt wait for you Nils / you had
such a long road ahead of you then

That may be / but you still hadnt the right to abandon me for
somebody elses sake
Yes / I dont know / so many many times Ive asked myself if I did have that right
When I lost you it was as if all the solid ground dissolved from
under my feet / look at me / Im a half drowned man now
hanging onto a wreck
Help may be near
It was near but then you came and blocked it off
Without my knowing it / Nils today for the first time I learned that its you Im replacing at the bank
All right I believe you / but now that you know will you step
aside
No because that wouldt benefit you in the slightest
12

Not benefit me hm / Id step aside anyway

Ive learned to be realistic / life and hard bitter necessity have taught me that
And lifes taught me never to trust fine phrases
Then lifes taught you a very sound thing / but you do have to trust in actions dont you
What does that mean
You said you were hanging on like a half drowned man to a wreck
Ive good reason to say that
Im also like a half drowned woman on a wreck / no one to care about and no one to care for
You made your choice
There wasnt any choice then
So what of it
Nils / if only we two shipwrecked people could reach across to each other
What are you saying
Two on one wreck are at least better off than each on his own
Kristine
Why do you think I came into town
Did you really have some thought of me
I have to work to go on living / all my born days as long as I can remember Ive worked /and its been
my best / and my only joy / but now Im completely alone in the world so terribly lost and forsaken / to
work for yourself theres no joy in that / Nils give me something someone to work for
I dont believe all this / its just some hysterical feminine urge t
o go out and make a noble sacrifice
Have you ever found me to be hysterical
13

Can you honestly mean this / tell me do you know everything

about my past
Yes
And you know what they think Im worth around here
Form what you were saying before it would seem that with me you could have been another person
Im positive of that
Couldnt it happen still
Kristine youre saying this in all seriousness / yes you are / I
can see it in you / and do you really have the courage then
I need to have someone to care for / and your children need a mother / we both need each other Nils / I
have faith that youre good at heart / Ill risk everything together with you
Kristine / thank you / thank you / now I know I can win back
place in their eyes / yes / but I forgot
Shh the tarantella / go now go on
Why what is it
Hear the dance up there / when thats over theyll be coming down
Oh then Ill go / but its all pointless of course you dont know
the move I made against the Helmers
yes Nils I know
And all the same you have the courage to
I know how far despair can drive a man like you
Oh if only I could take it all back
You easily could / your letters still lying in the mailbox
14

Are you sure of that

Positive but
Is that the meaning of it then / youll save your friend at any
price / tell me straight out is that it
Nils / anyone whos sold herself for somebody else once isnt going to do it again
Ill demand my letter back
No no
Yes of course / Ill stay here till Helmer comes down / Ill tell
him to give me my letter again / that it only involves my
dismissal / that he shouldnt read it
No Nils dont call the letter back
But wasnt that exactly why you wrote me to come here
Yes in that first panic / but its been whole day and night since then and in that time Ive seen such
incredible things in this house / Helmers got to learn everything / this dreadful secret has to be aired /
those two have to come to a full understanding / all these lies and evasions cant go on
Well then if you want to chance it / but at least theres one
thing I can do and do right away
Go now go quick the dance is over were not safe another second
Ill wait for you downstairs
Yes please / do take me home
I cant believe it / Ive never been so happy
How different now how different / someone to work for to live for / a home to build / well it is worth the
try / oh if theyd only come / ah there they are

15