Will is a young red-headed boy who lives in the village. At the beginning of the novel, Will appears to be quite mean. Along with a group of boys, he torments and taunts Beetle every chance he gets. On one occasion, when the boys are drunk, Will falls into the river. Rather than help him, the other boys run off. Alyce (Beetle), who is perched in a tree after running away from the boys, rescues Will. Will thanks her by complimenting her on her bravery. He realizes for the first time that Alyce is a human being with feelings.
As a result of their encounter at the river, Will is reluctant to join the other boys when they harass Alyce. Will again requests Alyce’s assistance when his cow is giving birth to calves and can not get out of a pit. Alyce helps Will deliver the calves and Will is grateful to her. He tells people in the village that Alyce brought him luck.
Will, a dynamic character, changes during the course of the novel as a result of his experiences with Alyce. At the conclusion of the novel, when he stops at the Inn with a delivery and sees Alyce, he speaks to her as though she is an old friend. Will has matured and grown up. He sincerely compliments Alyce, tells her she is pretty, and treats her with respect.
