Through Edith's blurted words, Margaret finds out that John is going to be at dinner and, though she's dismayed, she hides it well and Edith only notes that she looks flushed, attributing it to the heat. Margaret offers to eat in her room so that there will be an even number (and she won't have to see Mr. Thornton) but Edith wants her there so that there'll be someone to talk with him about Milton.
Someone who is very impressed with Mr. Thornton's conversation and character is Mr. Coldhurst, the member of parliament who is also at dinner. He has heard of Mr. Thornton's new, rather unorthodox methods for dealing with his workers and questions John about them with great interest. Thornton answers his queries frankly, not pretending that relations with his workers always went smoothly, but saying that he believes that increased interaction between the hands and management was leading to greater understanding- and respect- between the two factions. Mr. Coldhurst asks if he thinks that this will prevent strikes from happening, and John says probably not, but that strikes may be less bitter and hateful because of it. It's obvious that John's increased familiarity with Higgins and the other men has had positive results by his words to Margaret: he tells her how, when word got around that the mill was going to close, a lot of the men signed a petition stating that, if he ever opened the mill again, they would like to work for him. This, when only about a year before, many of them were in the mob rioting at Thornton's house.
After Mr. Thornton has taken his leave, Margaret asks Henry if he will come back to the house the following day, as she has something to discuss with him. Although she merely wishes to speak to him before he meets with John about giving up his lease, Henry gets his hopes up, taking this as a sign that Margaret is starting to depend on him. This could get awkward.