Driven closer to madness with each passing day, Nellie's will is tested after the patients are subjected to freezing and unsanitary baths. Watching her friend Tillie suffer more and more from illness, Nellie is afraid the asylum will make Tillie completely mad-and take Nellie along for the ride. In this Act I closer, Nellie talks herself out of giving up, and reminds herself she still has an important task at hand.