And she set down at the top of the paper, "Meal, 25 cents." The children proceeded in this way to calculate how much bacon, molasses, coffee, and sugar would suffice for Aunt Matilda's support; and they found that the cost, per week, at the rates of the country stores, with which they were both familiar, would be seventy-seven and three-quarter cents.
"Is there anything else, Aunt Matilda ?" asked Kate.
"Nuffin I can think on," said Aunt Matilda, "'cept milk." "Oh, I can get that for nothing," said Kate.

"I will bring it to you from home; and I will bring you some butter too, when I can get it." "And I'll pick up wood for you," said Harry.

"I can gather enough in the woods in a couple of hours to last you for a week." "Lor' bless you, chil'en," said Aunt Matilda, "I hope you'll be able to do all dat." Harry stood quiet a few minutes, reflecting.
"How much would seventy-seven and three quarter cents a week amount to in a year, Kate ?" said he.
Kate rapidly worked out the problem, and answered: "Forty dollars and forty-three cents." "Lor'! but that's a heap o' money!" said Aunt Matilda.

"That's more'n I 'spect to have all the rest of my life." "How old are you, Aunt Matilda ?" said Harry.
"I 'spect about fifty," said the old woman.
"Oh, Aunt Matilda!" cried Harry, "you're certainly more than fifty.

When I was a very little fellow, I remember that you were very old--at least, sixty or seventy." "Well, then, I 'spects I'se about ninety," said Aunt Matilda.
"But you can't be ninety!" said Kate.