Act II begins in Annie’s room. She strains her eyes when writing a letter back to Boston describing the challenge she is faced with: “how, to, discipline, her, without, breaking, her, spirit” (39). Helen sits with Annie, and Annie teaches her how to sew. She spells out words to Helen, but sign language still means nothing to the child. Kate walks in and asks Annie why she keeps spelling to Helen when Helen doesn’t understand. Annie replies that it’s the way one would talk to “[a]ny baby. Gibberish, grown-up gibberish, baby talk gibberish, do they understand one word of it to start? Somehow they begin to” (41). Kate, tired but hopeful, then asks Annie if she can learn sign language as well. She wants to communicate with her daughter once Helen does understand, and Annie agrees to teach her.

The next scene takes place at the dinner table. James and Captain Keller are debating General Grant’s leadership of the Union Army in the Civil War. Captain Keller argues that Grant was a “butcher” who “led [soldiers] to slaughter with no more regard than for so many sheep” (43). James, meanwhile, rebukes his father for not seeing that Grant’s strength was being “obstinate” (43) in his battles.