“Then I would suggest you get, instead of the roast, either a leg of mutton at 15 cents a pound, or a piece of beef at the same price for _à la mode_ beef; and if you choose the mutton, then you will have a really nice pot-pie to-night in place of chops. You will find that you will buy ten pounds of meat for $1.50, and then you can get some of the knick-knacks Mr. Lennox likes for breakfast.” “But he won’t look at cold mutton, or Irish stew made of it.” “No; Irish stew needs fresh meat, and cold mutton is not appetizing; but I propose your having hot mutton each meal.” “But that will make so much cooking, and I am alone to do it!” “I know,” said Molly, gently, “but I am sure that sewing-machine is half killing you; can’t you give it up for an hour or two each day?” “My dear, by the time I get through my housework it is near noon; then there’s the children’s dinner to get and clear, and I don’t get to sewing till after one. Then the afternoon and evening I have to give to it; if I could go and buy new material I need not have half the work, but it is the cutting down, making over, ripping, altering, and planning that wears one out.” “Then I will help you,” said Molly. “I have time, and if you’ll promise to give one hour to the kitchen, I’ll sew an hour with you and cook an hour. I am so sure the change of work will brighten you up.” “Heaven knows I need brightening! I feel a perfect hag, and I’m only twenty-eight.” “Then you accept?” “Yes,” hesitating; “yet I don’t know why I can allow you to”— “Oh, don’t say one word! I love it.” They had slackened pace in their earnest talk, but now they had reached the butcher’s. “You are to order just what you like,” said Mrs. Lennox. “I will.” Molly chose a good-sized leg of mutton, weighing eight pounds, and told the butcher to cut it nearly in half, leaving the large part for the loin end; and a pound and half of round steak. She ordered also half a pound of beef suet; then, turning to Mrs. Lennox, she asked if Mr. Lennox was fond of kidneys for breakfast? “I believe he is.” Then a beef kidney was added, and the amount spent was:— Leg of mutton, $1.20 Suet, .06 Kidney, .10 Steak, .24 ——— Total, $1.60 “Well, I count myself nearly a dollar in pocket so far,” said Mrs. Lennox, “but I have tried buying economical meats before, though in the end it was no economy, for we did not eat it.” “I will forgive you if you don’t eat this,” said Molly, laughing; “but I must hurry home; I have a chicken pie to make for to-morrow’s dinner, but I will see you later in the day. I am responsible, you know, for the meat I have bought.”