The Luckiest Girl in the School by Angela Brazil

“There’s no doubt about it, we really must economize somehow!” sighed Mrs. Woodward helplessly, with her housekeeping book in one hand, and her bank pass-book in the other, and an array of bills spread out on the table in front of her. “Children, do you hear what I say? The war will make a great difference to our income, and we can’t—simply can’t—go on living in exactly the old way. The sooner we all realize it the better. I wish I knew where to begin.”

“Might knock off going to church, and save the money we give in collections!” suggested Percy flippantly. “It must tot up to quite a decent sum in the course of a year, not to mention pew rent!”

His mother cast a reproachful glance at him.