Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 2. (She drops her eyes to spell into HELEN’S hand, again indicating the card; HELEN spells back, and ANNIE is amused.)

KATE [TOO QUICKLY]: What did she spell?

ANNIE: I spelled card. She spelled cake!

(She takes in KATE’S quickness and shakes her head, gently.)

No, it’s only a finger game to her, Mrs. Keller. What she has to learn first is that things have names.

KATE: And when will she learn?

ANNIE: Maybe after a million and one words.

(They hold each other’s gaze; KATE then speaks quietly.)

KATE: I should like to learn those letters, Miss Annie.