Saturday 17 September 1664

Up and to the office, where Mr. Coventry very angry to see things go so coldly as they do, and I must needs say it makes me fearful every day of having some change of the office, and the truth is, I am of late a little guilty of being remiss myself of what I used to be, but I hope I shall come to my old pass again, my family being now settled again.

Dined at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my businesses in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting afternoon’s work.

This day my aunt Wight sent my wife a new scarfe, with a compliment for the many favours she had received of her, which is the several things we have sent her. I am glad enough of it, for I see my uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them. So home to supper and to bed.


5 Annotations

First Reading

Robert Gertz  •  Link

"...with a compliment for the many favours she had received of her, which is the several things we have sent her."

Many favors-like not shaming your lecherous husband in public?

***

"I am glad enough of it, for I see my uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them."

"Good enough, then. We're well rid of him."

"I suppose so..." sigh...

"What?"

"Nothing. Just..." sigh...

"What." grimly.

"Well, it's just... If you could just have been a little more...Bess? Where are you going? Bess?"

"Fleet Street. As a wife nearly so dutiful as the Russian ladies, I think I'll go see if I can get a few lesson in being a little more..."

"Now, darling..."

Hmmn...Sam eyes Bess' set face. Geesh, you'd think I'd asked her to... I mean in so many words, rather than my discreet hints.

Bet Bagwell's not had these problems.

***

Robert Gertz  •  Link

A newly arrived Coventry staring round the nerve center of the English war effort...

Minnes snoring at desk, clerks hurriedly grabbing balls of paper they'd been tossing for points on various parts of his person. Batten engaged in pressing anxious-looking merchant on some matters clearly not concerned with enhancing the said war effort. Penn off with his boy for the morning to see the town. Most of the junior clerks chatting, doodling in books, or engaged in speaking to various visitors including ladies, few of whom looked much like those whose business was essential to the war.

"Mr. Hewer? Where is..."

"Sorry about that, sir. Just finished lunch, sir." Hewer scoops fallen alepot.

"...Mr. Pepys, sir?"

"Out, sir."

"Out, sir? Where, sir?"

"Ummn...Essential naval business pertaining to the current war, sir."

"Indeed?"

Cut to shot of Sam pondering a turn toward Betty Martin nee Lane's stall or a quick run over to Mr. Gauden's to again express his gratitude for gifts tendered.

Second Reading

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"I am glad enough of it, for I see my uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them."

Uncle Wight has found a willing niece?

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"I see my uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them."

Uncle William Wight [a leading fishmonger] was rich and childless, and Pepys had for some time been suspended between hope and despair in observing the variable relations between him and his family. (L&M note)

Chris Squire UK  •  Link

Re: ‘ . . things go so coldly . . ‘

‘coldly, adv. < Old English . .
. . 2. b. Without ardour, enthusiasm . .
. . a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) v. iii. 13 The French fight coldly, and retyre themselues . . ‘

(OED)

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