The man in front of the counter was quite querulous. He wanted a loan, but the prudent bank manager would not give it to him without knowing what it was for. The man stared at the manger's pen, as if he could whet it into a blade to stab the manager. In a last ditch attempt for a loan, he tried to vindicate his reasons of needing one. The manger simply took out his anachronistic pocket watch and sighed.
Hope this helps you!