Lesson No. 7 - My Financial Career

My Financial Career
Written by Stephen Leacock
Questions and Answers

1.     What light do the following expressions throw on Leacock’s state of mind when he entered the bank: “looked timidly round”, “shambled in”?

Stephen Leacock was afraid of bank and its staff. When he entered the bank, he was afraid of all things there. “Looked timidly round” expresses his fright. As he was afraid, he could not control his steps from creating noise so he “shambled in” while entering the bank.

2.     Why did the manager come to think that Leacock had an awful secret to reveal?

From Leacock’s mysterious manners and queries e.g. “Are you the manager?” the manager gathered that he was a detective and he had an awful secret to reveal.

3.     What was the attitude of the manager towards Leacock on learning the he only wished to deposit 56 dollars in the bank?

The manager was not expecting that Leacock was going to deposit $56 only, so he became angry. He, very unkindly, told to almost all the people in the bank that he was going to open a bank account with 56 dollars.

4.     What other blunders did Leacock commit after leaving the manager’s office?

Leacock made several blunders. After having opened the account, he wanted to draw 6 dollars for his present use. He wrote 56 instead of 6 and withdrew his entire amount. After this he tried to show that he was a man with fearfully quick temper and failed in doing this too.

5.     After his misadventure in the bank where did Leacock keep his money?

He kept his money in cash in his trousers’ pockets and coins in his sock.

6.     Give as many examples as you can to show that Leacock was feeling completely lost in the bank all the time he was there.

There are many instances of such nonsense. He said “alone” twice while he did not want to say it. When leaving the managers office, he rushed into an open safe instead of getting out of the room. After depositing his money, he withdrew it all. From these examples, it is true that he was completely lost.

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