my books and things in order to being made clean. At
this all day, and at night to my office, there to do some business, and
being late at it, comes Mercer to me, to tell me that my wife was in
bed, and desired me to come home; for they hear, and have, night after
night, lately heard noises over their head upon the leads. Now it is
strange to think how, knowing that I have a great sum of money in my
house, this puts me into a most mighty affright, that for more than two
hours, I could not almost tell what to do or say, but feared this and
that, and remembered that this evening I saw a woman and two men stand
suspiciously in the entry, in the darke; I calling to them, they made me
only this answer, the woman said that the men came to see her; but who
she was I could not tell. The truth is, my house is mighty dangerous,
having so many ways to be come to; and at my windows, over the stairs,
to see who goes up and down; but, if I escape to-night, I will remedy
it. God preserve us this night safe! So at almost two o'clock, I home to
my house, and, in great fear, to bed, thinking every running of a mouse
really a thiefe; and so to sleep, very brokenly, all night long, and
found all safe in the morning.

31st. Up and with Sir W. Batten to Westminster, where to speak at the
House with my Lord Bellasses, and am cruelly vexed to see myself put
upon businesses so uncertainly about getting ships for Tangier being
ordered, a servile thing, almost every day. So to the 'Change, back by
coach with Sir W. Batten, and thence to the Crowne, a taverne hard by,
with Sir W. Rider and Cutler, where we alone, a very good dinner. Thence
home to the office, and there all the afternoon late. The office being
up, my wife sent for me, and what was it but to tell me how Jane carries
herself, and I must put her away presently. But I did hear both sides
and find my wife much in fault, and the grounds of all the difference
is my wife's fondness of Tom, to the being displeased with all the house
beside to defend the boy, which vexes me, but I will cure it. Many high
words between my wife and I, but the wench shall go, but I will take a
course with the boy, for I fear I have spoiled him already. Thence to
the office, to my accounts, and there at once to ease my mind I have
made myself debtor to Mr. Povy for the L117 5s. got with so much joy
the last month, but seeing that it is not like to be kept without some
trouble and question, I do even discharge my