Act 2 Summary

It is now evening, and the focus is on Annie and Helen in Annie's room. Annie is writing a letter, saying each work aloud, and Helen is mothering her doll in an emptied drawer. Annie writes that the lack of discipline has had a negative effect on her student, and she hopes she can control this child without Helen losing some of her spirit.

It is while Annie is writing that Helen explores her desk and knocks over the inkwell. Annie seizes this opportunity to spell "ink" into Helen's hand. The first time she spells it Helen resists, but the second time Helen offers her hand. Then Annie tries to occupy her student with a sewing card, teaching her the motions of stitching. When Helen pricks her finger, the child hurls the doll's head to the floor, only to be intercepted by the...