The Bishop's Candlesticks by Norman Mckinnell (Part 2: for Class IX)

After that, the convict narrated to the Bishop his story. He explained that long time ago he was a man and he had the feeling of suffering then. But after that he became a number. He was not a man. His sensitivity had died. He had been living in hell for the last ten years.

He also told the Bishop that long time ago, he had a cottage. There were vines growing on it. They looked very pretty. There was a woman. She must have been his wife. He tried to remember her. She was ill and they had no food to eat. He was unemployed and his wife Jeanette was dying. Then he stole to buy food for her. He was caught for that crime. He explained his stand but they did not understand him. He was put in the prison hulks (old ships formerly used for prisons). For ten years. He was also informed that his wife had died on the day when he was sent to prison.

 Then he started crying with sobs. After that the Bishop asked him about the prison-ship (Hell).

The convict told the Bishop that once he had been a man. At present he was a beast. They were responsible for making him so. They chained him like a wild animal, beat him hard and he was fed on filth. He was covered with vermin (insects),. He was slept on board. He made complaint about that but they lashed him again. They took away his name. They took away his soul and put a devil in him in place of his soul. One day, they were careless and forgot to chain him. That was six weeks ago. Then he ran away to starve.

They were hunting after him everywhere. He had no passport, and no name. He had to steal daily to satisfy his hunger. He had to remain in woods. He was unable to ask for work or go to cities. He was a thief then due to circumstances.

The Bishop took pity on him and tried to console him by saying that there was still some hope. He laughed at the word ‘hope’ in scorn (contempt).

Then the Bishop made him lie down on the couch and went inside to bring some coverings for him.

As the Bishop left the place, the convict noticed candlesticks which were there on the mantelpiece. Those were of silver and very heavy indeed. The convict picked them from there. He looked here and there to ensure if he was alone there. In haste he dropped one at the table as he had heard the Bishop coming in. The Bishop noticed all what was going on. He told the convict that those candlesticks were a gift from his mother and he was proud of them. Then he told the convict that his bed was ready and he could go to sleep. The convict was also surprised at the kindness shown him by the Bishop and asked what he wanted from him. The Bishop told him that he only wanted that he might have a good sleep. The convict responded at this by saying that he wanted to convert him.

The convict himself locked the door from inside for security. Then he the Bishop wished him good night and went to his room.

The convict was alone and he started thinking of the silver candlesticks. He thought to sell them in market and get money. He also condemns the Bishop’s preaching to him because he did not want to be soft. Then he took the candlesticks and exited. The door was slammed from behind and the noise made Persome alert. She asked loudly who it was. She entered and found no one there. Then she knocked at door of the Bishop’s room.

She also noticed that the candlesticks were not there. She started shouting, “The candlesticks, and the candlesticks. They are gone. Brother, brother, come out. Fire, murder, thieves!”

The Bishop came and she told him that the man with hunger in his eyes had gone with the candlesticks.

The Bishop was not disturbed at the theft. He peacefully said that those candlesticks did not belong to him. But he also felt something bad also because he had emotional attachment with those candlesticks. She also tried to force her brother to lodge a complaint with the police about the theft.

The Bishop told her that it was his fault as he showed them to him. The Bishop rejected his sister’s idea to send him to prison again.

The arguments went on between the two for some time. Then there was a big knocking at the door.

Then a sergeant with three policemen entered. The Convict was also bought in. He told the Bishop that he was running with his candlesticks. Persome was very satisfied to see that. The sergeant said that he was arrested on suspicion and while handling him, those candlesticks fell out of his pockets.

He also added that he remembered that the candlesticks belonged to the Bishop, so they bought him there for recognition and so that the convict could be put in the lock up. Persome seizes them and brushes them lovingly with her apron.

But the Bishop told the police that the convict was his friend and he had given those candlesticks to him as a gift. Thus he let the prisoner go free. The sergeant further said that he did not show his papers to him. But the Bishop gave him his surety by saying that he was his friend.

After that, the police went away. The convict was amazed at the unexpected behaviour of the Bishop. Persome was furious at the convict. So the Bishop advised her to leave them and go to her room. First, she was not ready to leave, and then she picked up the candlesticks. She had to leave them on the table when the Bishop ordered her to do so.

The Bishop told him to sleep, but he wanted to reach Paris by travelling at night.

The convict also said that he did not believe that there was goodness left in the world. He requested for the Convict’s blessing before leaving the place. The Bishop utters some words of blessings on him. The convict is unable to speak because he was so much charged with emotions. His throat was choked. The Bishop gave the candlesticks to him and also showed him the way at the back of his cottage that went through the forest.

The convict thanked him and cried like a child and said, “I...I....[He sobs] Ah! I’m a fool, a child to cry, but somehow you have made me feel that.....that it is just as if something had come into me ...as if I were a man again and not a wild beast.”

Bishop:[putting his hand on his shoulder] Always remember, my son, that this body in the Temple of the Living God.

Convict:[with great awe] The temple of the Living God. I’ll remember.

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