for it. So away hence
home, where to the office to do business a while, and then home to supper
and to read, and then to bed. I was prettily served this day at the
playhouse-door, where, giving six shillings into the fellow's hand for us
three, the fellow by legerdemain did convey one away, and with so much
grace faced me down that I did give him but five, that, though I knew the
contrary, yet I was overpowered by his so grave and serious demanding the
other shilling, that I could not deny him, but was forced by myself to
give it him. After I come home this evening comes a letter to me from
Captain Allen, formerly Clerk of the Ropeyard at Chatham, and whom I was
kind to in those days, who in recompense of my favour to him then do give
me notice that he hears of an accusation likely to be exhibited against me
of my receiving L50 of Mason, the timber merchant, and that his wife hath
spoke it. I am mightily beholden to Captain Allen for this, though the
thing is to the best of my memory utterly false, and I do believe it to be
wholly so, but yet it troubles me to have my name mentioned in this
business, and more to consider how I may be liable to be accused where I
have indeed taken presents, and therefore puts me on an enquiry, into my
actings in this kind and prepare against a day of accusation.

25th. Up, having lain the last night the first night that I have lain
with my wife since she was last ill, which is about eight days. To the
office, where busy all the morning. At noon comes W. Howe to me, to
advise what answer to give to the business of the prizes, wherein I did
give him the best advice I could; but am sorry to see so many things,
wherein I doubt it will not be prevented but Sir Roger Cuttance and Mr.
Pierce will be found very much concerned in goods beyond the distribution,
and I doubt my Lord Sandwich too, which troubles me mightily. He gone I
to dinner, and thence set my wife at the New Exchange, and I to Mr.
Clerke, my solicitor, to the Treasury chamber, but the Lords did not sit,
so I by water with him to the New Exchange, and there we parted, and I
took my wife and Deb. up, and to the Nursery, where I was yesterday, and
there saw them act a comedy, a pastorall, "The Faythful Shepherd," having
the curiosity to see whether they did a comedy better than a tragedy; but
they do it both alike, in the meanest manner, that I was sick of it, but
only for to satisfy myself once in seeing the manner of it, bu