Masters and Men
- Mr. Hale informs Margaret that they need to return Mrs. Thornton's visit, since it's only polite to do so.
- While they're en route to the Thorntons', they discuss Mrs. Hale's health. Margaret says she hopes it'll improve.
- When they get to the Thorntons' house, a servant shows them inside. They're both struck by how well kept and clean the house is. The problem they both have with it, though, is that it's tacky. But what else can you expect from new money?
- When Mrs. Thornton shows up, she and Mr. Hale make some small talk about John, who wasn't able to stay for this visit. Mrs. Thornton admits that she doesn't think John should be studying the classics with Mr. Hale, but that he should instead devote all of his energies and thoughts to business.
- Margaret argues that a mind can get stiff and rigid if it becomes obsessed with only one thing for too long. Mrs. Thornton curtly answers that she doesn't know what this is supposed to mean.
- Margaret tries to appease the woman by saying that her son has a great reputation, but Mrs. Thornton immediately wants to know who's been talking about her son. Turns out that she doesn't take compliments well if they're coming from Margaret. The two of them are turning into pretty solid frenemies.
- Mrs. Thornton says she was suspicious of Margaret at first because she thought Margaret was trying to get John to marry her. Margaret laughs. This relieves Mrs. Thornton, but also annoys her. Who's Margaret to think she's too good for John?
- Finally, the conversation turns to the subject of the latest workers' strike starting up in Milton. Mrs. Thornton dismisses the strike as nothing but the action of a bunch of ungrateful workers. She's confident that her son will crush them if they dare to strike.
- Later that night, John Thornton visits the Hales's, sorry that he has missed their earlier visit. The conversation comes back around to the subject of a strike.
- Thornton knows the workers will lose because they don't realize that trade isn't as good as it was a few years ago. There isn't the same demand for labor and employers can't afford to pay the wages of three years earlier.
- Margaret asks him why he can't just explain this fact to the workers. Mr. Thornton says that he's not going to ask his employees permission whenever he makes a business decision. Margaret thinks this is coldhearted and she tells him so. She thinks it's silly for workers and employers to always be at each other's throats when they're so clearly dependent on one another.
- Mr. Thornton finally comes out and says that workers are basically like children who need a firm hand to guide them.
- Margaret gives Thornton the old Uncle Ben speech, telling him that he has great power as an employer, and that with great power comes great responsibility.
- John Thornton demands that when workers are on his time, he is their unquestioned leader. On their own time, they can do whatever they want. It's clear that Margaret's arguments are frustrating him. After being short with her, he apologizes and she smiles at him before he leaves.