is room (a spot on the floor near the fire) and board (a meager portion of gruel or turnips). As Beetle becomes more proficient, she begins to notice what the midwife does at birthings. The midwife jealously guards the actual delivery process, perhaps noticing that the girl is picking up on her mentor's procedure. The midwife does not want competition. Beetle begins to follow the midwife when she disappears during the day and finds her having a sexual relationship with the miller, a married man and father. Now that Beetle has a secret to keep, the midwife allows her more freedom to learn and explore, as long as the girl keeps her mouth shut.

An example of a conflict in the story is the conflict between Jane and Alyce about Alyce training to be a midwife.

Jane adopts Alice from the dung heap, but does not necessarily want to train her.  She can assist in births, but if she learns how to be a midwife she will cut into Jane’s business.  This is a conflict between Jane and Alyce. 

From the beginning, there is a conflict between Jane and Alyce (called Beetle).

The first time they were called to a cottage, Beetle vied to go in, but Jane slapped her, calling her clodpole and shallow- brained whiffer, and made her stay outside where she wouldn't get in the way. (Ch. 3)

Alyce does not want to just stay outside.  She wants to be a real apprentice, and learn how to deliver babies.  She gets her chance when Alyce leaves a delivery to assist another one.  Jane takes the delivery of the wealthier woman, and Alyce stays and delivers the baby.  The parents pay her, which does not please Alyce.

Alyce also doubts herself, resulting in an internal conflict.  She is afraid she really can deliver a baby, and when a birth is difficult and Jane has to step in, her hopes are shattered.  She leaves the profession, but an emergency birth leads her to take it up again.

One of the conflicts in the book is overcoming obstacles. The dire poverty that  Beetle endures, and her quest to reach her potential create a "two steps forward,one step back" situation. It is her enduring spirit that keeps her striving to overcome the circumstances she has had to live.

In the beginning of chapter 11, Alyce feels conflicted about her inclinations. She is torn between her usual habit of deferring to her employer and her burning desire to distinguish herself as a capable midwife in her own right.

The chapter begins with a young boy, Matthew Blunt, asking Alyce to come and tend to his mother (who is in labor). Matthew tells Jane Sharp (the midwife) that his mother only wants Alyce. Of course, Jane has no idea who Matthew is referring to; after all, she has only known Alyce as "Beetle."

When Jane discovers who Alyce really is, she is visibly upset and accuses Alyce of taking her customers away from her. Torn between her usual habit of deferring to the midwife and her pride at having been sent for, Alyce must make a decision.

In the end, Alyce's pride seals her decision. She goes with Matthew back to his home and begins to tend to the boy's laboring mother. Despite all her efforts, however, the baby refuses to be born. Ultimately, Alyce realizes that she must send for the midwife.

The chapter ends on a sad note; ashamed of her failure, Alyce decides to leave the village.