The Midwife's Apprentice

One day, Alyce goes to the rich home where she sent Edward to find work, wanting to rescue him if he needs it. The cook explains she watches the boy so that he doesn’t get bullied by the bigger boys. She sends Alyce to fetch Edward from the hen house and then starts up a conversation with herself, which is one of her favorite pastimes because she “hardly ever disagree[s] with what was said” (90).

Alyce finds Edward in the hen house playing a game of kings and knights with the chickens. He is thrilled to see her but doesn’t want to leave with her, as he’s found a decent life at the manor. Edward convinces her to stay the night, and as both sleep, they are comforted by the fact that the other is “safe and warm and sheltered and not too very far away” (95).

The next day, Alyce helps the men clean the sheep before their shearing. In the process, her hands become truly clean, and she takes leftover soap to wash the rest of her, finding that, under all the dirt, she is actually pretty.