Alyce (previously known as Brat and, later, Beetle) is the 12- or 13-year-old (she doesn't know how old she is) protagonist, or main character, of the novel. She is a skinny, pale girl afraid of people and unfamiliar situations and surroundings. Alyce is a dynamic character. She changes during the course of the novel due to her experiences and actions. When the novel begins, Alyce is called Brat. She is homeless. She has no place of her own and she is as poor as anyone can be. She has endured extreme hardships: Her parents abandoned her when she was very young and she has been abused and neglected by people throughout her life (even the midwife kicks her, slaps her, calls her names, and feeds her inadequate amounts of food). She has survived by traveling from village to village, stealing food and working for food or shelter.
Because Alyce has never been rewarded or encouraged, she is unaware that she is a special and unique human being. She experiences feelings of being stupid and unworthy. She is afraid to try anything because she is afraid she will fail. Alyce has no self-confidence. In spite of her low self-esteem and the tormenting and teasing that she tolerates from village bullies, there is an innate goodness about Alyce. In contrast to the midwife, Alyce is compassionate. She adopts a stray cat, names it Purr, and cares for it; she is kind to Will, one of the village bullies; and she gives a homeless boy a name, some food, and tells him where to find work.
When she renames herself "Alyce," her life begins a transformation. She begins to feel a sense of pride and self-respect. After the merchant at the fair gives Alyce a comb and comments on her looks, she peers into a stream and realizes for the first time that she is worthy of love. Alyce begins to tell stories to Purr, sing songs, and smile — things she has never done before. She begins to learn what it feels like to be truly alive.
Alyce, rather than the midwife, is called by a woman in labor to deliver her baby. When she is unable to deliver the baby because it is a complicated birth and has to call for the midwife, she feels like a failure and is ashamed of herself. She runs away with Purr and finds work in an inn not far from the village. There she has time to think and to discover who she really is. Alyce goes to see Edward, the homeless boy she helped, and ends up taking a bath with soap. The bath is a transformation, or rebirth, for Alyce. She emerges a strong girl who knows what she wants to do with her life — and she knows she can do it. She defies her fear and returns to the midwife to become her apprentice once again. Alyce learns to honor herself. She also learns that if she perseveres, she can overcome adversity.
