I read this short story in a collection a few years ago, but I remembered very little of it on this second reading.

That's not to say it's not memorable. This is a cleverly-crafted tale, featuring themes one expects to find in a Hardy tale, such as humour, amazing coincidences, and, of course, tragedy.

I liked the story on the whole, and the characters were all believable, with the milkmaid herself being my favourite. ( )