we, and Ruth told of Gilbert's play, and
of the boys' arrest by the English, of Betty's capture on account of the
borrowed coat, and of her escape from the house by the river.

"The children of Philadelphia will indeed remember the year of 1778,
and surely my little daughter can never forget it," responded her
father.

Ruth was eager to start for home as soon as possible, especially as Aunt
Deborah said that she must return in midsummer with her mother for a
longer visit. "And thy friend Winifred must come also," she had added.

Winifred and Gilbert had heard the story of Ruth's warning to the
American army, for Aunt Deborah had sent a letter to Mrs. Pennell at the
first opportunity, and Gilbert had at once declared that he would "make
up a play" about it.

"And we will have it the very day Ruth comes home," he said. "I will be
Lafayette, and Ruth can be herself."

"And let's ask Betty and all the girls who went to the May party,"
suggested Winifred.

"And Ned, too, and Mother and Mrs. Pennell," agreed Gilbert. "I tell
you, it is lucky Ruth went to Barren Hill, and I guess it's lucky you
girls went to Southwark that day. You see, it put Ruth on the lookout to
warn Lafayette," he added.

Gilbert's second play proved even a greater success than his first. The
girls listened admiringly to Winifred's account of Lafayette's thanking
Ruth, and when the guests had all gone the two little friends went to
their favorite seat in Ruth's garden under the big maple tree. Hero kept
very close to his little mistress, as if afraid that she might again
suddenly disappear.

"Do you remember that day when we began the chair for Cecilia, Ruthie?"
asked Winifred, "and when you said you wished you could do some great
service for Lafayette because he had come to help America?"

Ruth nodded, not quite sure of the exact day, but very sure that she had
always wanted to help the young Frenchman, and wondering what Winifred
would say next.

"And now you have done him a great service," Winifred continued soberly.
"And Betty and Annette, and all the girls say that you are a real
heroine."

"I guess they don't know much about heroines," responded Ruth, but there
was a pleased smile about her mouth. Of course any little girl whose
hand had been kissed by Lafayette was a heroine, she thought happily.

The Stories in this Series are:

A LITTLE MAID OF PROVINCE TOWN
A LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY
A LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT