I don't think you need feel 'scary,' if Kate's economy is all you have to fear." This interview somewhat reassured Aunt Matilda, but she was not altogether satisfied with the state of things.

The fact was that she had supposed that the telegraph company would bring in so much money that she would be able to live in what to her would be a state of comparative luxury.

And instead of that, Kate had been preaching economy and systematic management to her.

No wonder she was disappointed, and a little out of humor with her young guardians.
But for all that, if Harry or Kate had fallen into a fiery crater, Aunt Matilda would have hurried in after them as fast as her old legs would have carried her.
She went back to her cabin, after a while, and she continued to have her three meals a day all the same as usual; but if she could have seen, as Kate saw, how steadily the little fund for her support was diminishing day by day, she would have had some reason for her apprehensions.
It was on a pleasant Saturday in early September, that Harry stood looking over the front gate in his father's yard.

Kate was at the dining-room window, sewing.