Tess of the d'Urbervilles

A customer complains that the dairy's butter tastes off, and Dairyman Crick discovers it's from garlic weeds in the pasture. The entire dairy crew lines up to crawl through the field, searching for the tiny plants that are ruining their product. It's tedious work—they find only a handful of garlic shoots, but even one bite by a cow can taint the whole day's production. As they work side by side, Angel Clare walks next to Tess, making small talk that feels awkward after their intimate conversation the night before. When the dairyman's back gives out and he suggests Tess rest too, she and Angel step out of line together. In a moment of painful self-sacrifice, Tess tries to redirect Angel's attention to the other dairymaids, Izzy and Retty, praising their looks and dairy skills. She's convinced they'd make better wives for him than she would, given her shameful past. Angel notices but doesn't take the bait. From this day forward, Tess forces herself to avoid Angel, giving the other girls every opportunity to win his affections. She admires what she sees as his honorable restraint in not leading any of them on, not realizing that his careful behavior might actually be about protecting her feelings, not theirs. The chapter shows how sometimes the smallest disruptions—like garlic in butter—can force people into close quarters where bigger truths emerge. Tess's attempt to nobly step aside reveals both her deep insecurity and her genuine care for Angel, even as it creates the very distance she fears.