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.