Act 2, Scene 5, Part 2 Summary

Maretha cries out in pain as Berniece combs her way through the tangles in her hair. Berniece says that if Maretha was a boy she wouldn't be having this trouble, and Boy Willie tells her that's an awful thing to say to a child. He angrily tells Berniece how she ought to be raising Maretha, telling her the history of the piano as though it was something to be proud of. Berniece tells him to mind his own business, and that when he's got children of his own he can raise them his way.

Boy Willie tells Berniece he wouldn't want to bring a child into the world with nothing to give them. He says that's why he wants to buy Sutter's land, so he can do for his family what his father could never do, and give them...