Summoned often, perhaps, in surroundings of squalor (4,3)

I believe the answer is:

sent for

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'summoned' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'often perhaps in surroundings of squalor' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'surroundings of squalor' becomes 'sr' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'often' with letters rearranged gives 'entfo'.
'entfo' put within 'sr' is 'SENT FOR'.

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