Deborah studies the languages that Miss Coral can teach her, but when Deborah realizes that knowing all the facts in the world doesn't make her any less crazy, she withdraws from the world of the ward for three months. Her nightmares wake her up screaming, so she is moved to the back of the ward with the other restless sleepers. Only when she is able to send one of her roommates back to bed very matter-of-factly does she begin to realize her own strength. She soon rejoins the ward by leaving her room, and Miss Coral and Carla are happy to see her.
But when Carla tells Deborah that she's moving down to B ward, Deborah realizes that friendship with Carla has made her vulnerable to the pain of separation. Deborah retreats to Yr to avoid the pain of saying goodbye to her friend. Then when Miss Coral tells Deborah that she has no more to teach, Deborah is saddened. But the final twist of the knife is when Miss Coral tells her that Ellis can teach her if she wishes to learn more. With that news, the tumor begins to throb.
