- possibly - I cannot say - that some public claim against
the insolvent estate of a firm or copartnership to which this person may have
belonged, should be enforced. The question may have been, in the course of
official business, referred to the Circumlocution Department for its
consideration. The Department may have either originated, or confirmed, a Minute
making that recommendation.«
    »I assume this to be the case, then.«
    »The Circumlocution Department,« said Mr. Barnacle, »is not responsible for
any gentleman's assumptions.«
    »May I inquire how I can obtain official information as to the real state of
the case?«
    »It is competent,« said Mr. Barnacle, »to any member of the - Public,«
mentioning that obscure body with reluctance, as his natural enemy, »to
memorialise the Circumlocution Department. Such formalities as are required to
be observed in so doing, may be known on application to the proper branch of
that Department.«
    »Which is the proper branch?«
    »I must refer you,« returned Mr. Barnacle, ringing the bell, »to the
Department itself for a formal answer to that inquiry.«
    »Excuse my mentioning -«
    »The Department is accessible to the - Public,« Mr. Barnacle was always
checked a little by that word of impertinent signification, »if the - Public
approaches it according to the official forms; if the - Public does not approach
it according to the official forms, the - Public has itself to blame.«
    Mr. Barnacle made him a severe bow, as a wounded man of family, a wounded
man of place, and a wounded man of a gentlemanly residence, all rolled into one;
and he made Mr. Barnacle a bow, and was shut out into Mews Street by the flabby
footman.
    Having got to this pass, he resolved as an exercise in perseverance, to
betake himself again to the Circumlocution Office, and try what satisfaction he
could get there. So he went back to the Circumlocution Office, and once more
sent up his card to Barnacle Junior by a messenger who took it very ill indeed
that he should come back again, and who was eating mashed potatoes and gravy
behind a partition by the hall fire.
    He was re-admitted to the presence of Barnacle Junior, and found that young
gentleman singeing his knees now, and gaping his weary way on to four o'clock.
    »I say. Look here. You stick to us in a devil of a manner,« said Barnacle
Junior, looking over his shoulder.