Violet Dimond, the Holy Terror, has delivered many of the town children in her capacity as handywoman. But Violet's calling is dying out with medicine's advances. Grace,Violet's adopted daughter, is a symbol of change herself. In the place where she has grown up and everyone knows her, she is accepted, though most of the locals never before saw a girl with skin that colour. For Violet and Grace the coming war will bring more upheaval: can they endure it, or will they be swept aside by history's tide?