Having arranged for the position of milkmaid at a dairy in Talbothays through a friend of her mother’s, Tess leaves home for a second time. At 20, she is now more experienced in the world. It is late in the afternoon when she arrives at the dairy, and she is in time for the afternoon milking of the cows. She introduces herself to Mr. Richard Crick, the dairyman, and immediately begins work.
In the milking parlor, Tess does not actually meet the other workers, but she hears them as they perform their chores. There is discussion among the other workers about some cows going “azew,” or dry. Superstitiously, the workers believe that, because there is “a new hand come among us,” the cows are not as likely to give as much milk. A tale from medieval times is told to entertain the workers, and a song is sung to make the work easier and to coax the cows to be generous with their milk—all the kinds of banter one would expect in a milking parlor.
Finally, a strange voice chimes in, and we are introduced to Angel Clare. Angel, at age 26, is the youngest son of an area parson; he has come to Talbothays to learn the business of the dairy farm so that he may one day become a farmer himself. Tess recognizes Angel from the May dance in Chapter 1. She fears that he will discover her past and shun her. Tess learns of Angel’s past when she shares a room, which is over the milking room, with three other milkmaids.
Hardy interrupts Tess’ story to explain Angel’s history. Angel hopes to have a farm of his own either in England or in an English colony. Angel’s desire came as a surprise to his father, the Reverend James Clare, who learned of his youngest son’s intentions only when books about farming were delivered to the Clare home. When his father questioned Angel about how he can be interested in such books when he plans to become a “minster of the Gospel,” Angel informed his father of his plans, claiming that he cannot support all of church doctrine; he can only accept those tenants that he himself cannot bridge. Angel went to London to see the world and to discover a new profession for himself. In London, he fell in love with an older woman, who almost “entrapped” the young Clare in marriage. He was extricated from the situation and settled on farming as a profession.
Tess and Angel’s relationship starts off slowly, but begins to develop when he lines up Tess’ cows for her, the ones that are hard to milk. The two later meet while Angel is playing a second hand harp for entertainment and a conversation ensues. Angel finds Tess rather mature, mysterious. Tess decries her lack of education, and Angel volunteers to tutor her in any subject she might choose. Tess replies, “I shouldn’t mind learning why—why the sun do shine on the just and unjust alike.” Angel chides her for being so negative about life.
