North and South, Chapter 37 summary
Chapter 37 of 52 · 16 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 37, Margaret and Mr. Hale visit Mrs. Boucher, and Higgins seeks work to support the widow and her children, making their care his responsibility. Margaret corrects his hopeful picture of southern life and persuades him to approach Mr. Thornton, while she struggles with shame over her lie and his absence.
What happens
- Margaret helps Boucher’s grieving children find small tasks, while Mr. Hale fails to move their mother beyond her complaints.
- Margaret reflects on her lie and anxiously waits for Mr. Thornton, who does not visit.
- Higgins arrives and explains that he seeks employment to support Boucher’s widow and children.
- Margaret describes low southern wages and exhausting farm work, and Higgins abandons his plan to move south.
- At Margaret’s request, Higgins agrees to seek Mr. Thornton directly, but refuses Mr. Hale’s offer of a supporting note.
- Margaret recognizes Thornton’s worth and wishes she could openly acknowledge her fault to him.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Higgins abandons his belief that moving south offers a simple escape. He recognizes that steady low wages and irregular higher earnings both bring hardship.
Quick check
Why does Higgins refuse Mr. Hale’s offer of a note to Thornton?
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