Twenty years ago, Lucas Inc. earned $$0\mathrm{.}50$ per share. Its earnings this year were $$3\mathrm{.}60.$ What was the growth rate in earnings per share $($EPS$)$ over the $20-$year period?

$18\mathrm{.}77\%$

$21\mathrm{.}82\%$

$16\mathrm{.}80\%$

$26\mathrm{.}19\%$

$10\mathrm{.}37\%$