I believe the following is right out of our contract.

pit-tance: a noun

1. a very small amount or share.
2. a small allowance or sum, as of money for living expenses.
3. a scanty income or remuneration.
4. a meager monetary allowance, wage, or remuneration.

[Middle English pitance, from Old French, allowance of food to a monk or poor person, from Medieval Latin pietantia, from *pietāns, *pietant-, present participle of *pietāre, to show compassion, from Latin pietās, piety; see pity.]