# Margaret’s Flittin’ explained — North and South > Chapter companion for North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. ## What happens Margaret, still grieving her father's death, reluctantly agrees to leave Milton with her aunt Mrs. Shaw. She receives a letter from Mr. Bell outlining financial arrangements for her future. Margaret visits Mrs. Thornton to apologize for her past conduct and to say goodbye. Mr. Thornton returns from Oxford and, despite his lingering love, resolves to let her go without showing emotion. Higgins visits Margaret, who gives him her father's Bible and money for Boucher's children. The chapter ends with Margaret preparing to depart. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Industrial Conflict Margaret's departure from Milton underscores the divide between the industrial North and the genteel South, as well as her complex relationships with both the Thornton family and the working-class Higgins. ### Duty and Sacrifice Margaret fulfills her duty to her father's memory by giving his Bible to Higgins and providing for Boucher's children, while also sacrificing her own comfort to appease her aunt. ### Pride and Prejudice Thornton's pride prevents him from expressing his love, and Margaret's pride in her own conduct leads to a strained farewell; both characters struggle with their prejudices toward each other. ## Character check-ins ### Margaret Hale Grieving her father's death, she yields to her aunt's pressure to leave Milton, apologizes to Mrs. Thornton, and gives Higgins her father's Bible and money for Boucher's children. ### Mrs. Shaw Dislikes Milton and urges Margaret to return to London with her; she accompanies Margaret on her farewell visit to Mrs. Thornton. ### Mrs. Thornton Receives Margaret's apology and farewell visit; she is initially stern but is affected by Margaret's manner. ### John Thornton Returns from Oxford, learns of Margaret's departure, and resolves to let her go without showing emotion, though he still loves her. ### Nicholas Higgins Visits Margaret to express his grief over Mr. Hale's death; receives Mr. Hale's Bible and money for Boucher's children. ### Mr. Bell Writes to Margaret about financial arrangements and his intention to provide for her; mentions Captain Lennox and Mr. Thornton. ## Key lines > The meanest thing to which we bid adieu, Loses its meanness in the parting hour. Even the most insignificant object becomes meaningful when we say goodbye. _Epigraph setting the tone for Margaret's departure from Milton._ > Let her go. Beauty and heiress as she may be, she will find it hard to meet with a truer heart than mine. Let her go! Thornton resolves to release Margaret, believing she will not find a more faithful love than his. _Thornton's internal decision to let Margaret leave without revealing his feelings._ > Yo’ may say that. If it were the deuce’s own scribble, and yo’ axed me to read in it for yo’r sake and the oud gentleman’s, I’d do it. Higgins promises to read the Bible Margaret gives him, even if it were the devil's writing, out of respect for her and her father. _Higgins' loyalty and affection for Margaret and Mr. Hale._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xliii-margaret-s-flittin - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters