Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/128

 Tell me how much you demand from my husband—I will get it.

Krogstad.

I demand no money from your husband.

Nora.

What do you demand then?

Krogstad.

I will tell you. I want to regain my footing in the world. I want to rise; and your husband shall help me to do it. For the last eighteen months my record has been spotless; I have been in bitter need all the time; but I was content to fight my way up, step by step. Now, I've been thrust down again, and I will not be satisfied with merely being reinstated as a matter of grace. I want to rise, I tell you. I must get into the Bank again, in a higher position than before. Your husband shall create a place on purpose for me

Nora.

He will never do that!

Krogstad.

He will do it; I know him—he won't dare to show fight! And when he and I are together there, you shall soon see! Before a year is out I shall be the manager's right hand. It won't be Torvald Helmer, but Nils Krogstad, that manages the Joint Stock Bank.

Nora.

That shall never be.

Krogstad.

Perhaps you will?