North and South

Margaret and her father visit Mrs. Boucher, the suicide victim's widow, finding her consumed with self-pity and blame for everyone except herself. Her children mourn their father more genuinely than she does, heartbreaking Margaret who sees how the woman's selfishness extends even to her grief. The visit leaves both Hales discouraged about their ability to help. Meanwhile, Margaret torments herself over her lie to the police about Frederick, especially knowing that Thornton witnessed her deception. She burns with shame remembering how she once criticized trade for its dishonesty, while Thornton defended commercial integrity. Now she feels hypocritical and dreads facing him again, yet longs to know where she stands in his opinion. That evening, Higgins arrives in a subdued mood, having spent the day seeking work to support Boucher's family—a responsibility he's taken upon himself out of guilt. Rejected everywhere, he desperately suggests moving south where Margaret once said life was easier. But Margaret, drawing on her southern experience, paints a realistic picture of agricultural labor: backbreaking work, isolation, starvation wages, and mental stagnation that would destroy someone like Higgins who thrives on intellectual companionship and debate. Convinced by her arguments, Higgins abandons the idea but agrees to swallow his pride and approach Thornton directly for work, despite his hatred of asking favors. His mixture of fierce independence and genuine care for Boucher's children reveals the complexity beneath his rough exterior.