This is a funny essay. The author says that he is afraid of going to the bank.
Once his salary increased by $50. He thought that the only way to keep the money safe was to deposit it in the bank. He nervously entered the bank where he asked the accountant about the manager and the accountant took him to the manager.
The writer told the manager that he wanted to speak to him in private. The manager became concerned and took the writer to an isolated room and locked the room. He thought that the writer was an agent of a spy agency. But the writer told him that he was not a spy. He was just here to open an account.
The manager thought he was a big investor and wanted to deposit a huge amount of money in the bank. But his hopes were dashed when the writer told him he only wanted to deposit $56. The manager loudly called the accountant and he asked him to open the writer’s account and then he said good bye the writer. There was an iron door open on the side of this room. The writer thought that it was the way out and he entered it. It was a safe.
After the writer was told to leave, the accountant took him out and handed him his cheque book, collecting his $56, signed and gave it to the accountant. But by mistake he wrote $56 instead of $6 on the cheque.
The accountant looked at him in surprise and asked if he wanted to withdraw all the money. The clerk gave him back the $56 and the writer ran out of the bank, shouting loudly behind him. He does not turn to the bank and keeps his money in his sock.
Exercise Short Questions
Q.No.1 What light do the following expressions throw on Leacock’s state of mind when he entered the bank: “looked timidly around”, “shambled in”?
Ans: To “shambled in” means to walk slowly and timidly as if you are afraid of something or hesitant to do something. To “look timidly around” means to look around in disbelief and fear. Both phrases express the writer’s fear and anxiety.
Q.No.2 Why did the manager come to think that Leacock had an awful secret to reveal?
Ans: The manner in which the author spoke to the manager, the expression on his face, the seriousness he displayed in his demeanor and the mysterious manner he displayed in his actions all showed that he was a detective and he has an important secret to reveal.
Q.No.3 What was the attitude of the manager towards Leacock on learning that he only wished to deposit 56 dollars in the bank?
Ans: The manner in which the writer spoke to the manager showed that he was a millionaire who had come to the bank to deposit a good sum of money, but when the writer said that he only wanted to deposit $56. The manager was disappointed. He became cold and uncaring.
Q.No.4 What other blunders did Leacock commit after leaving the manager’s office?
Ans: First he entered the safe. Second, he gave the money to the accountant in a senseless manner. Third, instead of depositing $50 and keeping six dollars for current use, he deposited $56. Fifth, instead of admitting his mistake, he pretended to be angry.
Q.No.5 After this misadventure in the bank where did Leacock keep his money?
Ans: After the Bank crash, the author never tried to enter the bank again. So he kept his money in socks even though there was a risk of losing it.
Q.No.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?
Ans: Leacock was completely disoriented at the bank. He made several mistakes. First, he didn’t need to see the manager. Second, he entered the safe. Third, instead of depositing $50 and keeping $56 for use, deposits $56.Fourth, instead of writing $6 on the check, he wrote $56. Fifth, instead of admitting his mistake, he pretended to be angry.