Claxton's gouty hands; and after Roger had carried me up and down his
house and orchards, to show me them, I mounted, and rode to Huntingdon,
and so to Brampton; where I found my father and two brothers, and Mr.
Cooke, my mother and sister. So we are now all together, God knows when
we shall be so again. I walked up and down the house and garden, and find
my father's alteracions very handsome. But not so but that there will be
cause enough of doing more if ever I should come to live there, but it is,
however, very well for a country being as any little thing in the country.
So to dinner, where there being nothing but a poor breast of mutton, and
that ill-dressed, I was much displeased, there being Mr. Cooke there, who
I invited to come over with my brother thither, and for whom I was
concerned to make much of. I told my father and mother of it, and so had
it very well mended for the time after, as long as I staid, though I am
very glad to see them live so frugally. But now to my business. I found
my uncle Thomas come into the country, and do give out great words, and
forwarns all our people of paying us rent, and gives out that he will
invalidate the Will, it being but conditional, we paying debts and
legacies, which we have not done, but I hope we shall yet go through well
enough. I settled to look over papers, and discourse of business against
the Court till the evening; and then rode to Hinchingbroke (Will with me),
and there to my Lady's chamber and saw her, but, it being night, and my
head full of business, staid not long, but drank a cup of ale below, and
so home again, and to supper, and to bed, being not quiet in mind till I
speak with Piggott, to see how his business goes, whose land lies
mortgaged to my late uncle, but never taken up by him, and so I fear the
heire at law will do it and that we cannot, but my design is to supplant
him by pretending bonds as well as a mortgage for the same money, and so
as executor have the benefit of the bonds.

12th (Lord's day). Made myself fine with Captain Ferrers's lace band,