Dairyman Crick insisted that all the dairy people should milk different cows every day， not just their favourites．
He was worried that a dairymaid might leave the dairy， and then her cows would not like being milked by a stranger． However， Tess began to find that the cows which came to her usually happened to be her favourites． This made her milking much easier． But she soon realized that it was not by chance， as it was Angel Clare who sent the cows in for milking． ‘Mr Clare，you have sent me my favourite cows！’ she accused him one morning， blushing． ‘Well， it doesn't matter，’ said he． ‘ You will always be here to milk them．’ ‘Do you think so？I hope I shall．But I don't know．’Afterwards she was angry with herself． She had spoken too seriously to him， as if he were involved in her staying or leaving．

奶场主克里克坚持让所有奶场的工人每天挤不同的奶牛，而不是只挤他们最喜欢的那几头。
他担心一旦哪个挤奶女工离开奶场后，她的奶牛会不喜欢被一个陌生人挤奶。 然而，苔丝渐渐发现，分配给她的奶牛碰巧总是她最喜欢的几头。 这让她挤起来更加轻松。 但她很快发现这不是什么凑巧的事儿， 因为是安吉尔・克莱尔分派待挤的奶牛。 “克莱尔先生，你总是把我最喜欢的奶牛分给我！” 一天早上，她红着脸指责他说。 “啊，这不要紧，”他说， “你反正会总在这儿挤它们的。” “你这么以为吗？我希望如此，但我不知道。” 说完之后，她对自己有些恼火。她刚才对他说话时太严肃了，好像把他牵扯进了她的去留问题。