[The scene opens with the sight of the busy cotton mill.  Men and women work their looms and children scurry about beneath the machines, collecting the ever-present fluff, which floats through the air and covers the floor.]

Mill Worker 1 overheard:  We need some more over here!

[Hannah Thornton oversees the operation with an imperious eye.]

Mill Worker 2 to Mill Worker 3   [seeing Hannah headed their way]:
Look out, here's Your Majesty.  I reckon she can smell it when you're not working.

Hannah Thornton:   [hollering to Mill Worker 3]  You there!  Is the machine mended?

Mill Worker 3:   Yes.

Hannah Thornton:   Then use it, for there's many to take your place.

[As Hannah walks through the machines, she notices one of the women clutching her daughter to her chest fervently.]

Hannah Thornton:   The child is ill. Send her home.

Mill Worker 3:    I can't afford to.

[Hannah Thornton shows signs of annoyance, but offers a firm but merciful solution.]

Hannah Thornton:   The child cannot work.  Is there another child at home?  [Mill Worker 3: nods agreement]  If you can get her here within the hour you can keep the place.

Mill Worker 3:   Thank you.

Hannah Thornton:   In the hour, mind, or lose it.

[Hannah Thornton walks over to join her son, who is also watching over the smooth operation of the mill.  She looks into his face, desiring to know his thoughts.]

John Thornton:  Whatever you think best, Mother.  You know how this mill works almost better than I do.

[Hannah smiles in response.]

[Margaret narrates her thoughts to Edith Lennox as we see her taking her daily walk up the hill past the cemetery.   Margaret's tone is optimistic, but her expression says otherwise.]

Margaret Hale:   [narrating her letter]  You ask me what I miss most about the countryside.  Well, Edith, in Milton you cannot feel the seasons change around you but I do think that at long last we have put winter behind us and I can resume my daily walks.

[John Thornton and Mill Master Slickson walk briskly through the yard at Marlborough Mills as they discuss Slickson's recent actions in dealing with the talk of a strike.]

Mill Master Slickson:   I don't know why you're blaming me.

Thornton:   You can play your tricks out to Ashley. That's your decision.  But if you get it wrong, we all suffer.

Slickson:   They wanted 5%.  Would you have given it them?

[Thornton stops walking and turns abruptly to face Mill Master Slickson.]

Thornton:   No, but I would've told 'em straight.  I wouldn't pretend I were thinking about it and tell them to come back on payday, so that I could turn them down flat and provoke them.

Slickson:    Are you accusing me of trying to encourage a strike?

Thornton:   You're tellin' me that it wouldn't have suited you?  It's their lives and our livelihood you're playing with.

[Nearby, Boucher turns towards the masters as he hears this part of their conversation as the men continue through the mill yard towards the Thornton house.]

Slickson:   You would handle your workers better?

Thornton:   I would not deliberately deceive them. Good day.

[Thornton leaves Slickson as he approaches the steps to his house.  Margaret is looking down on him from the window in the sitting room.  Hannah Thornton steps into the room holding a piece of paper. She speaks and Margaret turns sharply, having apparently been interrupted in her thoughts.  Hannah Thornton looks vaguely uncomfortable at the idea of Margaret’s call at the house.]

Hannah:   Here is the address of our doctor.  You did not need to visit in person.  You could have sent a servant. Oh, you've been in this heathen climate for some time now, Miss Hale.  I'm surprised you haven't needed a doctor yet.

Margaret:   We don't.  I came here personally because I didn't want to alarm my father.  It's just a precaution ... in case.  My mother has low spirits.

Hannah:   Really?  We don't have much of that up here.  But I'm sure Dr. Donaldson will try to help if he can.

Margaret: I'm sorry to disturb you.

[After receiving the needed information, Margaret starts on her way out, but turns back as Hannah Thornton has more to say.]

Hannah:   You do not disturb me.  But even you, not remotely interested in industry might know that there is talk of a strike.  Not just here at Marlborough Mills, but one that will affect the whole of Milton.

Margaret:   What would they gain by striking?  They'll be wanting higher wages?

[As Margaret hears this, she is stunned and confused at this turn of events and conversation. Hannah Thornton however, appears annoyed at Margaret’s naivete in the matter.]

Hannah:   That is what they will say.  But the truth is .... that there are some men raise themselves to be masters, while others will always seek to pull them down.  That is the way of the world Miss Hale, and there is nothing you or I can do about it.  [Margaret nods her head indicating she understands.  She turns around and walks away, leaving for home.]