9-year-old orphan, Elizabeth Ann, has lived a sheltered life in the city with her doting Aunt Frances, but when sickness strikes she's sent to a farm in Vermont to live with the dreaded Putney's. Her new rural life will be very different to the city she was used to. Many jobs that Aunt Frances used to think too demanding for a young lady are now expected, like walking to school alone, cooking and having chores. But as Betsy faces her fears...