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 mind of it, and so if I come now to refund it, as I fear I
shall, I shall now be ne'er a whit the poorer for it, though yet it is
some trouble to me to be poorer by such a sum than I thought myself a
month since. But, however, a quiet mind and to be sure of my owne is
worth all. The Lord be praised for what I have, which is this month come
down to L1257. I staid up about my accounts till almost two in the
morning.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1664-1665

February 1st. Lay long in bed, which made me, going by coach to St.