Pictured Puzzles and Word Play / A Companion to the Twentieth Century Standard Puzzle Book

by A. Cyril Pearson

37. TAKE CARE OF THE PENCE

In a moment of economy I told my wife that I would put by a farthing the first week of the New Year, a halfpenny the second week, a penny the third, and so on, doubling the sum each week to the end of the year. She had a turn for figures, and staggered me by showing that I should have to provide £4,691,249,611,844, 5s. 3³⁄₄d. to carry out my plan!