Ruth Pennell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia. The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army. Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis de Lafayette.

Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays. Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.

In each of the other "Little Maid" books is the story of an American girl during the Revolution. The other stories are: "A Little Maid of Province Town," "A Little Maid of Massachusetts Colony." "A Little Maid of Bunker Hill," "A Little Maid of Narragansett Bay," "A Little Maid of Ticonderoga," "A Little Maid of Old Connecticut."

Contents

I.Hero is Lost[9]
II.Gibert and Lafayette[19]
III.Ruth Visits General Howe[28]
IVAunt Deborah is Surprised[37]
V.Ruth Decides[43]
VI.A Difficult Day[53]
VII.Gilbert's Play[62]
VIII.Betty Runs Away[72]
IX.Betty's Adventure[84]
X.The Lost Programme[92]
XI.A Long Road[102]
XII.A Long Ride[113]
XIII.Home Again[123]
XIV.The Candy Disappears[133]
XV.A Fairy Story[142]
XVI.Betty and Annette[151]
XVII.Queen Betty[161]
XVIII.A Great Resolve[171]
XIX.The Visit[182]
XX.Lafayette's Visit[193]
XXI.At Home[205]

Illustrations

PAGE
She Looked Up To Find Lafayette Smiling at Her[Frontispiece]
"'Tis a Lady Coming To Call"[33]
It Was a Favorite Play-house[95]
"The First of May is Garland Day"[162]
The Big Horse Trotted Down the Street[190]