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'I want to know……' and Arthur Clennam again mechanically set forth what
he wanted to know。
'Can't inform you；' observed Mr Wobbler； apparently to his lunch。 'Never
heard of it。 Nothing at all to do with it。 Better try Mr Clive； second
door on the left in the next passage。'
'Perhaps he will give me the same answer。'
'Very likely。 Don't know anything about it；' said Mr Wobbler。
The suitor turned away and had left the room； when the gentleman with
the gun called out 'Mister！ Hallo！'
He looked in again。
'Shut the door after you。 You're letting in a devil of a draught here！'
A few steps brought him to the second door on the left in the next
passage。 In that room he found three gentlemen； number one doing nothing
particular； number two doing nothing particular； number three doing
nothing particular。 They seemed； however； to be more directly concerned
than the others had been in the effective execution of the great
principle of the office； as there was an awful inner apartment with a
double door； in which the Circumlocution Sages appeared to be assembled
in council； and out of which there was an imposing ing of papers；
and into which there was an imposing going of papers； almost constantly；
wherein another gentleman； number four； was the active instrument。
'I want to know；' said Arthur Clennam；……and again stated his case in the
same barrel…organ way。 As number one referred him to number two； and
as number two referred him to number three； he had occasion to state
it three times before they all referred him to number four； to whom he
stated it again。
Number four was a vivacious； well…looking； well…dressed； agreeable
young fellow……he was a Barnacle； but on the more sprightly side of
the family……and he said in an easy way； 'Oh！ you had better not bother
yourself about it； I think。'
'Not bother myself about it？'
'No！ I remend you not to bother yourself about it。'
This was such a new point of view that Arthur Clennam found himself at a
loss how to receive it。
'You can if you like。 I can give you plenty of forms to fill up。 Lots of
'em here。 You can have a dozen if you like。 But you'll never go on with
it；' said number four。
'Would it be such hopeless work？ Excuse me； I am a stranger in England。'
'I don't say it would be hopeless；' returned number four； with a frank
smile。 'I don't express an opinion about that； I only express an opinion
about you。 I don't think you'd go on with it。 However； of course； you
can do as you like。 I suppose there was a failure in the performance of
a contract； or something of that kind； was there？'
'I really don't know。'
'Well！ That you can find out。 Then you'll find out what Department the
contract was in； and then you'll find out all about it there。'
'I beg your pardon。 How shall I find out？'
'Why； you'll……you'll ask till they tell you。 Then you'll memorialise
that Department （according to regular forms which you'll find out） for
leave to memorialise this Department。 If you get it （which you may after
a time）； that memorial must be entered in that Department； sent to
be registered in this Department； sent back to be signed by that
Department； sent back to be countersigned by this Department； and then
it will begin to be regularly before that Department。 You'll find out
when the business passes through each of these stages by asking at both
Departments till they tell you。'
'But surely this is not the way to do the business；' Arthur Clennam
could not help saying。
This airy young Barnacle was quite entertained by his simplicity in
supposing for a moment that it was。 This light in hand young Barnacle
knew perfectly that it was not。 This touch and go young Barnacle had
'got up' the Department in a private secretaryship； that he might
be ready for any little bit of fat that came to hand； and he fully
understood the Department to be a politico…diplomatic hocus pocus piece
of machinery for the assistance of the nobs in keeping off the
snobs。 This dashing young Barnacle； in a word； was likely to bee a
statesman； and to make a figure。
'When the business is regularly before that Department； whatever it is；'
pursued this bright young Barnacle； 'then you can watch it from time
to time through that Department。 When it es regularly before this
Department； then you must watch it from time to time through this
Department。 We shall have to refer it right and left； and when we refer
it anywhere； then you'll have to look it up。 When it es back to us
at any time； then you had better look US up。 When it sticks anywhere；
you'll have to try to give it a jog。 When you write to another
Department about it； and then to this Department about it； and don't
hear anything satisfactory about it； why then you had better……keep on
writing。'
Arthur Clennam looked very doubtful indeed。 'But I am obliged to you at
any rate；' said he； 'for your politeness。'
'Not at all；' replied this engaging young Barnacle。 'Try the thing； and
see how you like it。 It will be in your power to give it up at any time；
if you don't like it。 You had better take a lot of forms away with you。
Give him a lot of forms！' With which instruction to number two； this
sparkling young Barnacle took a fresh handful of papers from numbers one
and three； and carried them into the sanctuary to offer to the presiding
Idol of the Circumlocution Office。
Arthur Clennam put his forms in his pocket gloomily enough； and went
his way down the long stone passage and the long stone staircase。 He had
e to the swing doors leading into the street； and was waiting； not
over patiently； for two people who were between him and them to pass out
and let him follow； when the voice of one of them struck familiarly on
his ear。 He looked at the speaker and recognised Mr Meagles。 Mr Meagles
was very red in the face……redder than travel could have made him……and
collaring a short man who was with him； said； 'e out； you rascal；
e Out！'
It was such an unexpected hearing； and it was also such an unexpected
sight to see Mr Meagles burst the swing doors open； and emerge into the
street with the short man； who was of an unoffending appearance； that
Clennam stood still for the moment exchanging looks of surprise with the
porter。 He folloeagles going down
the street with his enemy at his side。 He soon came up with his old
travelling panion； and touched him on the back。 The choleric face
which Mr Meagles turned upon him smoothed when he saw who it was； and he
put out his friendly hand。
'How are you？' said Mr Meagles。 'How d'ye do？ I have only just e over
from abroad。 I am glad to see you。'
'And I am rejoiced to see you。'
'Thank'ee。 Thank'ee！'
'Mrs Meagles and your daughter……？'
'Are as well as possible；' said Mr Meagles。 'I only wish you had e
upon me in a more prepossessing condition as to coolness。'
Though it was anything but a hot day； Mr Meagles was in a heated state
that attracted the attention of the passersby； more particularly as
he leaned his back against a railing； took off his hat and cravat； and
heartily rubbed his steaming head and face； and his reddened ears and
neck； without the least regard for public opinion。
'Whew！' said Mr Mea