North and South Chapter 13 - A Soft Breeze in a Sultry Place

In which Margaret visits the ailing Betsy Higgins in the midst of the bustling, dust-laden town, and through their tender conversation, a gentle contrast is drawn between Margaret’s cherished rural past and the harsh realities of factory life. Meanwhile, at home, the Hales grapple with quiet anxieties over Mrs. Hale’s failing health, met with paternal denial and an uneasy hope that the presence of a doctor may bring reassurance.