And I
begun to have mighty apprehensions how things might be, for we
are in expectation (from common fame) this night or to-morrow to
have a massacre, by the having so many fires one after another,
as that in the City, and at same time begun in Westminster, by
the Palace, but put out; and since in Southwarke, to the burning
down some houses. And now this do make all people conclude there
is something extraordinary in it; but nobody knows what. By and
by comes news that the fire is slackened; so then we were a
little cheered up again, and to supper, and pretty merry. But
above all there comes in the dumb boy that I knew in Oliver's
time, who is mightily acquainted here, and with Downing. And he
made strange signs of the fire, and how the King was abroad, and
many things they understood, but I could not. Which I wondered
at, and discoursing with Downing about it, "Why," says he, "it is
only a little use, and you will understand him, and make him
understand you with as much ease as may be." So I prayed him to
tell him that I was afraid that my coach would be gone, and that
he should go down and steal one of the seats out of the coach and
keep it, and that would make the coachman to stay.
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