HELMER.
Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager.
NORA.
Whatever is that?
HELMER.
His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary—
NORA.
Yes, you could—couldn’t you?
HELMER.
And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is “I say, Helmer, old fellow!” and that sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable.
NORA.
Torvald, I don’t believe you mean that.
HELMER.
Don’t you? Why not?
NORA.
Because it is such a narrow-minded way of looking at things.
HELMER.
What are you saying? Narrow-minded? Do you think I am narrow-minded?
NORA.
No, just the opposite, dear—and it is exactly for that reason.