Chapter 34. A Shoal of Barnacles

           

           MrHenryGowanandthedogwereestablishedfrequentersofthecottage,andthedaywasfixedforthewedding.TherewastobeaconvocationofBarnaclesontheoccasion,inorderthatthatveryhighandverylargefamilymightshedasmuchlustreonthemarriageassodimaneventwascapableofreceiving.

           TohavegotthewholeBarnaclefamilytogetherwouldhavebeenimpossiblefortworeasons.Firstly,becausenobuildingcouldhaveheldallthemembersandconnectionsofthatillustrioushouse.Secondly,becausewherevertherewasasquareyardofgroundinBritishoccupationunderthesunormoon,withapublicpostuponit,stickingtothatpostwasaBarnacle.Nointrepidnavigatorcouldplantaflag-staffuponanyspotofearth,andtakepossessionofitintheBritishname,buttothatspotofearth,sosoonasthediscoverywasknown,theCircumlocutionOfficesentoutaBarnacleandadespatch-box.ThustheBarnacleswereallovertheworld,ineverydirection—despatch-boxingthecompass.

           But,whiletheso-potentartofProsperohimselfwouldhavefailedinsummoningtheBarnaclesfromeveryspeckofoceananddrylandonwhichtherewasnothing(exceptmischief)tobedoneandanythingtobepocketed,itwasperfectlyfeasibletoassembleagoodmanyBarnacles.ThisMrsGowanappliedherselftodo;callingonMrMeaglesfrequentlywithnewadditionstothelist,andholdingconferenceswiththatgentlemanwhenhewasnotengaged(ashegenerallywasatthisperiod)inexaminingandpayingthedebtsofhisfutureson-in-law,intheapartmentofscalesandscoop.

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