Tess of the d'Urbervilles Chapter 17

When Tess finds Talbothays, she begins work immediately. As she is milking the cows she notices a young man who does not quite fit in although he is milking cows just like everyone else. The dairyman refers to the young man as "sir" and the man is dressed nicer than the other dairy workers. The young man seems soft-spoken and has a thoughtful manner about him, and the other dairymaids tell her that he is Angel Clare, son of Parson Clare in the village of Emminister. Angel is learning about all the branches of farming before he begins his own farm, and he keeps his distance from the dairy workers because he's always lost in his own thoughts. When he stands up, Tess recognizes him as the young man who stopped and danced with the girls of Marlott, except for her. She worries for a moment that he may somehow recognize her and know of her past, but she soon sees that he does not know who she is.

Topic Tracking: Coincidence 6

Tess sleeps above the milk house with three other dairymaids, Marian, Izz Rhuett, and Rhetty.