Ruth Alberta Brown MacArthur wrote children's stories in the early 20th century. Her stories include Heart of Gold, Tabitha at Ivy Hall, Tabitha's Vacation and The Lilac Lady. At the Little Brown House is set in a small rural community. Three children live in a brown house. There is a big old farm dog on the porch. The children slip out one morning to gather flowers. A tramp sees the children and that is where the adventure begins.