With Nellie now bedridden, she fears she may have Scarlet Fever, but is instead diagnosed with consumption. Willie and Maggie are forced to take over Nellie's classes at night, while Mrs. MacTavish phones Aunt Rose and Sarah in Halifax to inform them of Nellie's worsening health. Meanwhile, Ned slowly slides into frustrated and insanity as he and the rest of the pit boys work to clear the mine face on Level 4. With both Stringy as well as Jimmy incapacitated by the recent cave-in and the consumption respectively, Willie decides to make a choice to help Ned.