The Miracle Worker: Kate Keller

Half sister, and half-mentally defective, she can't even keep herself clean. It's not pleasant to see her about all the time.

Do you dare? Complain of what you can see?

But he has to learn some respect!

Do you like the child? How empty the house is, tonight.

This is my wife's first, she isn't battle scarred yet.

Doctor, don't be merely considerate. Will my girl be alright?

Pay it to Helen. Give her another week.

Doesn't she miss us?

No, but I-

Doesn't she need affection too, Miss Annie?

No, to tell you the truth I'm as shaky inside as a baby's rattle!

Don't be. Well do all we can to help, and to make you feel at home. Don't think of us as strangers, Miss Annie.

Why, this very famous oculist in Baltimore I wrote you about, what was his name?

Dr. Chisholm.

Helen! My buttons.

Eyes? She wants the doll to have eyes.

Don't be long, Miss Annie. Dinner will be ready right away!

Folded her napkin. My Helen-folded her napkin-

She ate from her own plate. She ate with a spoon. Herself. And she folded her napkin.

Folded-her napkin?

Well. I suppose I can wait one more mile. But don't be surprised if I get out to push the horse!

Helen's waiting for you, too. There's been such a bustle in the house, she expects something, heaven knows what. I expected a desiccated spinster. You're very young.

Helen! (As Helen overturns the cradle)

Helen, Helen, you're not to do such things, how can I make you understand-

Hey, you stop now. You just sit quiet and-

Helen. Let me have those scissors.

I didn't come here for love. I came for money!

Hm?

Katie.(After Helen overturned the cradle)

How can I get it into your head, my darling, my poor-

Katie, some way of teaching her an iota of discipline has has to be-

How can you discipline an afflicted child? Is it her fault?

Mrs. Keller- Shall we play our finger game?

How will she learn?

Well. Whatever I spell to Helen I'd better spell right.

How-serene she is.

It will come.

How?

We're born to use words, like wings, it has to come.

How?

I've never seen a baby, more vitality, that's the truth.

Hush. Don't you cry now, you've been trouble enough. Call it acute congestion, indeed, I don't see what's so cute about it, just because it's yours. We'll have your father run an editorial in his paper, the wonders of modern medicine, they don't know what they're curing even when they cure it. Men, men and their battle scars, we women will have to-Will have to-Helen? Helen. Captain, Captain, will you come- Captain! (Mild scream, more of a gasp)

Again.

I don't think we need to say again. Simply delayed will do.

Likewise, I'm sure. You can stand there, and close the door if she comes.

I don't think you know how eager we are to have her back in our arms-

You haven't eaten, Katie.

I haven't the appetite. I'm too-restless, I can't sit to it.

You hear, Katie?

I hear.

She's very rough, Katie.

I like her, Captain.

Oh, you should have seen me when I left Boston. I got much older on this trip.

I mean, to teach anyone as difficult as Helen.

Maybe after a million and one words.

I should like to learn those letters, Miss Annie.

Not money. The child's been to specialists all over Alabama and Tennessee, if I thought it would do good I'd have her sent to every fool doctor in the country.

I think the Captain will write to him soon.

I've stopped believing in wonders.

I think the Captain will write to him soon. Won't you, Captain?

There isn't. Now I must finish here.

I think, with your permission, Captain, I'd like to write.

For mental defectives.

I visited there. I can't tell you what I saw, people like-animals, with-rats, in the halls, and- What are we to do, if you give up?

Mrs. Keller?

I want her back.

I go to bed with- writer's cramp from talking so much!

I worry about you, Miss Annie. You must rest.

I'm of half a mind to ship her back to Boston before the week is out. You can inform her so from me!

I, Captain?

Mrs. Keller, you promised me help.

Indeed I did, we truly want to-

I mean to try. They can't put you in jail for trying!

Is it possible, even? To teach a deaf-blind child half of what an ordinary child learns-has that ever been done?

Does he, now?

Is it?

Furnish it, bring Helen here after a long ride so she won't recognize it, and you can see her every day. If she doesn't know. Well?

Is that all?

I'm as sensible to this affliction as anyone else, it hurts me to look at the girl.

It was not our affliction I meant you to write about, Captain.

No.(During fight at welcoming dinner)

It's a very special day.

I'll teach you tomorrow morning. That makes only half a million each!

It's her bedtime. I'm sorry, Miss Annie.

First, last, and-in between, language.

Language.

Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye. Dr. Howe said that.

Language. We can't get through to teach her to sit still. You are young, despite your years, to have such-confidence. Do you, inside?

M, o, t, h, e, r. Mother. M, o , t, h-

Let her come!

She's upstairs, smellin' around. She know somethin' funny's goin' on.

Let her have her supper as soon as Mildred's in bed, and tell Captain Keller when he comes that we'll be delayed tonight.

Katie? What's wrong?

Look.

You didn't bring Helen, I was hoping you would.

No, she's home.

Katie, I will not have it! Now you did not see when that girl after supper tonight went to look for Helen in her room-

No.

I didn't say it was her fault.

Then whose? I don't know what to do! How can I teach her, beat her- until she's black and blue?

Thank you. When do I see her?

There. There is Helen.

You give me her, Miss Kate, I'll sneak her in back, to her crib.

This child never gives me a minute's worry.

Oh, I should say so, you know my opinion of your pickles-

This is the end of them, I'm afraid. I didn't put up nearly enough last summer, this year I intend to-

Will you? I thought what she said was exceptionally intelligent. I've been saying it for years.

To his face? Or will you take it, Jimmie? As a flag?

I'll give you two weeks in this place, and it will be a miracle if you get the child to tolerate you.

Two weeks? Miss Annie, can you accomplish anything in two weeks?

Where?

Under a stone. In the flower beds. In the grass-

I have a plate, thank you.

Viney! I'm afraid what Captain Keller says is only too true, she'll persist in this until she gets her own way.

Well, everyone's been telling me not to say anything.

Viney, look out in back for Helen. See if she has that key.

Now would it be possible for us to have supper, like other people?

Viney, serve supper. I'll put Mildred to sleep.

Look. What is she spelling?

Water?

But that boy Percy could sleep here, run errands-

We can let Percy sleep here, I think, Captain?

Does she know where she is?

We rode her out in the country for two hours.

He can't.

We won't know that to be a fact, Captain, until after you write.

Evening, my dear.

We're off to meet the train, Captain. Supper will be a trifle delayed tonight.

Mrs. Keller, Miss Sullivan.

We've met every train for two days.

In the hall, Jimmie-

We've put you in the upstairs corner room, Miss Annie, if there's any breeze at all this summer, you'll feel it-

Why does she get a reward? For stabbing me?

Well- We catch our flies with honey, I'm afraid. We haven't the heart for much else, and so many times she simply cannot be compelled.

What in heaven's name is so extraordinary about folding a napkin?

Well. It's more than you did, Captain.

Katie.(In conversation about Miss Annie)

Well?

Undisciplined.

What are you doing to your eyes?

Very good girl-

What are you saying to her?

I guess no mother's ever minded enough to count.

What did she spell?

If you can see any point or purpose to her staying on here longer, it's more than-

What do you wish me to do?

And everything she's learned is? Mrs. Keller, I don't think we should- play tug-of-war for her, either give her to me or you keep her from kicking.

What do you wish to do?

Oh yes, this one's the angel of the family, no question bout that.

What happened?

Certainly.(Brings ladder back)

What is Mildred doing up?

Locked in her-

What on earth are you-

I'll need a ladder. Shouldn't take me long.

What shouldn't take you-

Well, some have the luck of the Irish, some do not.

What will you try to teach her first?

There isn't.

What, Miss Annie?

You really ought to put her away, Father.

What?

Oh, we glad to have you back too, prob'ly.

What? Oh. Keys. Yes, I'll keep the keys. I think we've had enough of locked doors, too.

She's a hireling! Now I want it clear, unless there's an apology and complete change of manner she goes back on the next train! Will you make that quite clear?

Where will you be, Captain, while I am making it quite-

Yes.(Deciding where to teach Helen)

Where would you-take Helen?

It's not safe to let her run around loose. There must be a way of confining her, somehow, so she can't-

Where? In a cage? She's a growing child, she has to use her limbs!

I mean that's what he gone say. ''What, again?''

Yes, we're expecting someone. Someone for my Helen. Oh, dear, this was clean not an hour ago. Here. For while I'm gone. I don't think one peppermint drop will spoil your supper.

But the world is him.

Yes. And no one can do it for you.

Nonsense, she must have the key. Have you searched in her pockets?

Yes. She doesn't have it.

No. No, she won't know what spelling is till she knows what a word is.

Yet you keep spelling to her. Why?

Two weeks? For only one miracle? I'll get her to tolerate me.

You can't think as little of love as you said. Or you wouldn't stay.

Do you?(Deciding where to teach Helen)

You could have a servant here-

It's noontime, dinner's comin', I didn't get them breakfast dishes out of there yet.

You run along, Martha.

Give up?

You said it was hopeless.

Us!

Please? Like the lost lamb in the parable, I love her all the more.

Oh, by morning she'll be knocking down Captain Keller's fences again.

And isn't there anything we should do?

And maybe she ain't.

And maybe she is. Where's Helen?

Half?

A tenth.

Another is to be young, why, I've got energy to do anything. The third is, I've been blind.

Advantages.

Well, I'm not in my teens, you know! I'm twenty.

All of twenty.

Oh yes, that babe's an angel.

And Helen had a good supper?

I spelt card. She spelt cake! No, it's only a finger game to her, Mrs. Keller. What she has to learn first is that things have names.

And when will she learn?

Helen locked her in and made off with the key.

And you sit here and say nothing?

Katie. How many times can you let them break your heart?

Any number of times.

Answer me one thing, is it fair to Mildred here?

Are you willing to put her away?

What, child?

As long as there's the least chance. For her to see. Or hear, or-

Spell it.

Because I can't.

Ho, there's nothing impaired in that head, it works like a mousetrap.

But after a child hears how many words, Miss Annie, a million?

Oh, I was just making conversation. Saying it was a sewing card.

But does that- - mean that to her?

Not anyone who loves her, you have so many feelings they fall over each other like feet, you won't use your chances and you won't let me.

But if she runs from you- to us-

Well, now. Couldn't say the same for my part, I'm famished. Katie, your plate.

But where is Miss Annie?

She-never shows me she needs it, she won't have any- caressing or-

But you're not her mother.

Well, she learned two nouns this morning, key and water, brings her up to eighteen nouns and three verbs.

But-not-

Katie. Don't mind what he-

Captain, I am proud of you.

Don't- don't-

Captain.

If you drive her away from here it will be over my dead-chair, has it never occurred to you that on one occasion you might be consummately wrong?

Captain.

Mother. I said Mother!

Captain.

Yes, I- Well, come in. Katie.

Captain.

Haven't you enough feeling to imagine what Katie has been undergoing, ever since-

Captain. It's true. The two weeks have been normal, quiet, all you say. But not short. Interminable.

And some old furniture, all our own.

Captain? Do you think that walnut bedstead in the barn would be too-

That's all.

Captain? With your permission?

Till she learns to depend on and listen to me.

For how long?

For what?

For letting this girl have what she needs.

Why does she wear those glasses? I like to see a person's eyes when I talk to-

For the sun. She was blind.

No, I mean day and night. She has to be dependent on me.

For what?

No, of course not. Viney!

Give her something, Jimmie, to quiet her.

Kate. At least we-could you- be my friend?

I am.

Let Mr. Jimmy go by hisself, you been pokin' that garden all day, you ought to rest your feet.

I can't wait to see her, Viney.

I want you to give her notice.

I can't.

She's only a child. What's her family like, shipping her off alone this far?

I couldn't learn. She's very close-mouthed about some things.

Now, how does Miss Sullivan propose to teach a deaf-blind pupil who won't let her even touch her?

I don't know.

I can't wait out here a minute longer, Kate, why, this could go on all afternoon, too.

I'll tell the Captain you called.

No. (...) He never treated them like ordinary children. More like-eggs everyone was afraid would break.

May I ask how old you are?

Maybe she ain't gone be on this train neither.

Maybe she is.

Yes, Cap'n, right here.

Mildred went directly to sleep, Viney?

No, it's how I watch you talk to Mildred.

Mildred.

I know. In two weeks.

Miss Annie, I- Please be good to her. These two weeks, try to be very good to her-

It's useless for me to try to teach her language or anything else here. I might as well-

Miss Annie, before you came we spoke of putting her in an asylum.

Kate, for the love of Heaven will you-

Miss Annie, please, I don't think it serves to lose our-

She's changed.

Miss Annie, put up with it. And with us.

Will you please let her hands go?

Miss Annie, you don't know the child well enough yet, she'll keep-

I just told Mrs. Keller. I want more time.

Miss Annie-

James, now you're pulling my- lower extremity, the first thing you know we'll be-

Miss Annie.

No, I have no conditions, Captain Keller.

Miss Annie.

Well, if we all agree it's hopeless, the next question is what-

Miss Annie. I am not agreed. I think perhaps you- underestimated Helen.

What's the matter there?

Miss Annie. You see, she's accustomed to helping herself from our plates to anything she-

Well, I don't know about that.

Miss Annie?

Except keep at it. Like this.

More- time? Here?

Welcome to Ivy Green, Miss Sullivan. I take it you are Miss Sullivan-

My husband, Miss Annie, Captain Keller.

I'm sorry. Open my mouth, like that fairytale, frogs jump out.

No. It has been better. For everyone.

What?(Response to napkin folding)

Not ineffectual. Helen did fold her napkin.

The room Jimmie and I played in was the deadhouse, where they kept the bodies till they could dig-

Oh, my dear-

It will be, when I give in to that.

Please. I've hardly had the chance to welcome her home-

I dunno, Miss Kate, somehow she didn't have much of an appetite tonight-

Oh. Dear.

Certainly rear a peculiar kind of young woman in the north. How old is she?

Ohh-Well, she's not in her teens, you know.

You-live far out of town, Mrs. Keller?

Only a mile.

Helen.

Or hear. When I screamed she didn't blink. Not an eyelash-

If they hear it, I'm letting Helen hear it.

Other children are not-impaired.

Why can't my son be? He can't bear me, you'd think I treat him as hard as this girl does Helen-

Perhaps you do.

I declare, James-

Pickles, Aunt Ev?

Helen. Helen!

She can't hear you!

What, Katie? She's well, she needs only time to-

She can't see. Look at her eyes. She can't see!

Certainly.(Takes ladder away)

She could have hidden the key.

I think everybody else here does.

She did fold her napkin. She learns, she learns, do you know she began talking when she was six months old? She could say ''water.'' Not really-''wahwah.'' ''Wahwah,'' but she meant water, she knew what it meant, and only six months old, I never saw a child so-bright, or outgoing- It's still in her, somewhere, isn't it? You should have seen her before her illness, such a good tempered child-

My goodness me, I'm not decent.

She doesn't know better, Aunt Ev. I'll sew them on again.

From the moment she stepped off the train she's been nothing but a burden, incompetent, impertinent, ineffectual, immodest-

She folded her napkin, Captain.

Put that meat back in the oven!

She has no key.

Now what?(Cradle scene)

She wants to talk, like-be like you and me. Every day she slips further away. And I don't know how to call her back.

Has she experience at least, how long did he teach there?

She was a pupil.

Katie, Katie, this is her first position?

She was valedictorian-

Blind.

She's had nine operations on her eyes. One just before she left.

Little girl, I must tell you your brother will be going on a-

Supper is ready, Jimmie, will you call your father?

Be bountiful, it's at her expense. Please pass me more of- her favorite foods.

Take her, Miss Annie.

Teacher. Teacher.

Teacher?

She'll live.

Thank God.

For all she knows, she could be in another town-

That's her sign for me.

Kate. What does he want from me?

That's not the question. Stand up to the world, Jimmie, that comes first.

I like to hear myself talk!

The Captain says it's like spelling to the fence post.

Nothing I say is right.

Why say anything? Don't be long, Captain, we'll have supper right away-

Out-outsi-I'm the child's aunt!

Will once hurt so much, Miss Annie? I've- made all Helen's favorite foods, tonight.

Evening, general.

Will you say grace, Jimmie?

In her bones those five fingers know, that hand aches to-speak out, and something in her mind is asleep, how do I -nudge that awake? That's the one question.

With no answer.

What, again?

With your permission, Captain?

Katie, she must have the key.

Would you prefer to search her yourself, Captain?

The house is at sixes and sevens from morning till night over the child, it's time that some attention was paid to Mildred here instead!

You'll wake her up, Captain.

It's like a surprise party, the most unexpected characters turn up.

You're not to overwork your eyes, Miss Annie.

Such a little lady, she'd sooner starve than eat with her fingers.

You've taught her so much, these two weeks. I would never have-