NCERT Textbook - The Bishop's Candlesticks | English Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


14 14
UNIT UNIT
Drama
D.2    The Bishop's Candlesticks
by Norman Mckinnell
112
CBSE
Discuss in groups
1. What would you do in the following situations? Give reasons for your answer
    If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger's 
pocket.
    If you found a wallet on the road.
    If you were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
    If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
    If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child's 
pen.
2. Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the 
roles of
    The child caught stealing
    The child she/he stole from
    The teacher
    The headmaster
    The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. 
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop
The Convict
Persome, the Bishop's sister
Marie
Sergeant of Gendarmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
gendarmes : the police 
Page 2


14 14
UNIT UNIT
Drama
D.2    The Bishop's Candlesticks
by Norman Mckinnell
112
CBSE
Discuss in groups
1. What would you do in the following situations? Give reasons for your answer
    If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger's 
pocket.
    If you found a wallet on the road.
    If you were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
    If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
    If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child's 
pen.
2. Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the 
roles of
    The child caught stealing
    The child she/he stole from
    The teacher
    The headmaster
    The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. 
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop
The Convict
Persome, the Bishop's sister
Marie
Sergeant of Gendarmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
gendarmes : the police 
CBSE
Drama
113
3. Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
SCENE : The kitchen of the Bishop's cottage, It is plainly but substantially furnished. Doors 
R, and L and L.C. Window R.C. Fireplace with heavy mantelpiece down R. Oak settee with 
cushions behind door L.C. Table in window R.C. with writing materials and crucifix (wood). 
Eight-day clock R. of window. Kitchen dresser with cupboard to lock, down L. Oak dinner 
table R.C. Chairs, books, etc. Winter wood scene without. On the mantel piece are two very 
handsome candlesticks which look strangely out of place with their surroundings.
[Marie and Persome discovered. Marie stirring some soup on the fire. Persome laying the 
cloth, etc.]
Persome: Marie, isn' t the soup boiling yet ?
Marie: Not yet, madam.
Persome: Well, it ought to be. You haven't tended the fire properly, child.
Marie: But, madam, you yourself made the fire up.
Persome: Don't answer me back like that. It is rude.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Then don't let me have to rebuke you again.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: I wonder where my brother can be. (Looking at the clock.) It is after eleven 
o'clock and no sign of him. Marie !
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Did Monseigneur the Bishop leave any message for me ?
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Did he tell you where he was going?
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome (imitating): 'Yes, madam'. Then why haven't you told me, stupid!
Marie: Madam didn't ask me.
Persome: But that is no reason for your not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
settee : seat with high back
crucifix : image of Jesus on the cross 
candlesticks: a holder made of metal in which a candle stands
Monseigneur: My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)
Page 3


14 14
UNIT UNIT
Drama
D.2    The Bishop's Candlesticks
by Norman Mckinnell
112
CBSE
Discuss in groups
1. What would you do in the following situations? Give reasons for your answer
    If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger's 
pocket.
    If you found a wallet on the road.
    If you were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
    If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
    If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child's 
pen.
2. Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the 
roles of
    The child caught stealing
    The child she/he stole from
    The teacher
    The headmaster
    The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. 
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop
The Convict
Persome, the Bishop's sister
Marie
Sergeant of Gendarmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
gendarmes : the police 
CBSE
Drama
113
3. Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
SCENE : The kitchen of the Bishop's cottage, It is plainly but substantially furnished. Doors 
R, and L and L.C. Window R.C. Fireplace with heavy mantelpiece down R. Oak settee with 
cushions behind door L.C. Table in window R.C. with writing materials and crucifix (wood). 
Eight-day clock R. of window. Kitchen dresser with cupboard to lock, down L. Oak dinner 
table R.C. Chairs, books, etc. Winter wood scene without. On the mantel piece are two very 
handsome candlesticks which look strangely out of place with their surroundings.
[Marie and Persome discovered. Marie stirring some soup on the fire. Persome laying the 
cloth, etc.]
Persome: Marie, isn' t the soup boiling yet ?
Marie: Not yet, madam.
Persome: Well, it ought to be. You haven't tended the fire properly, child.
Marie: But, madam, you yourself made the fire up.
Persome: Don't answer me back like that. It is rude.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Then don't let me have to rebuke you again.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: I wonder where my brother can be. (Looking at the clock.) It is after eleven 
o'clock and no sign of him. Marie !
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Did Monseigneur the Bishop leave any message for me ?
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Did he tell you where he was going?
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome (imitating): 'Yes, madam'. Then why haven't you told me, stupid!
Marie: Madam didn't ask me.
Persome: But that is no reason for your not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
settee : seat with high back
crucifix : image of Jesus on the cross 
candlesticks: a holder made of metal in which a candle stands
Monseigneur: My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)
CBSE
Drama
114
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Don't keep saying 'Yes, Madam' like a parrot, nincompoop.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Well. Where did Monseigneur say he was going?
Marie: To my mother's, madam.
Persome: To your mother's indeed ! And why, pray ?
Marie. Monseigneur asked me how she was, and I told him she was feeling poorly.
Persome : You told him she was feeling poorly did you? And so my brother is to be kept out 
of his bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling 
poorly. There's gratitude for you!
Marie: Madam, the soup is boiling!
Persome: Then pour it out, fool, and don't chatter. (Marie about to do so.) No, no, not like 
that. Here, let me do it, and do you put the salt-cellars on the table-the silver 
ones.
Marie: The silver ones, Madam?
Persome: Yes, the silver ones. Are you deaf as well as stupid?
Marie: They are sold, madam.
Persome: Sold! (with horror) Sold! Are you mad? Who sold them? Why were they sold?
Marie: Monseigneur the Bishop told me this afternoon, while you were out, to take them 
to Monseigneur Gervais, who has often admired them, and sell them for as much 
as I could.
Persome: But you had no right to do so without asking me.
Marie (with awe): But, madam, Monseigneur the Bishop told me.
Persome: Monseigneur the Bishop is a-ahem! But-but what can he have wanted with the 
money!
Marie: Pardon, madam, but I think it was for Mere Gringoire.
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
nincompoop : idiot; fool
feeling poorly : felt unwell; was not feeling well.
salt-cellars: containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table.
Mere: Mother (pronounced mair) 
Gringoire: pronounced Grin-go-ah 
Page 4


14 14
UNIT UNIT
Drama
D.2    The Bishop's Candlesticks
by Norman Mckinnell
112
CBSE
Discuss in groups
1. What would you do in the following situations? Give reasons for your answer
    If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger's 
pocket.
    If you found a wallet on the road.
    If you were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
    If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
    If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child's 
pen.
2. Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the 
roles of
    The child caught stealing
    The child she/he stole from
    The teacher
    The headmaster
    The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. 
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop
The Convict
Persome, the Bishop's sister
Marie
Sergeant of Gendarmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
gendarmes : the police 
CBSE
Drama
113
3. Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
SCENE : The kitchen of the Bishop's cottage, It is plainly but substantially furnished. Doors 
R, and L and L.C. Window R.C. Fireplace with heavy mantelpiece down R. Oak settee with 
cushions behind door L.C. Table in window R.C. with writing materials and crucifix (wood). 
Eight-day clock R. of window. Kitchen dresser with cupboard to lock, down L. Oak dinner 
table R.C. Chairs, books, etc. Winter wood scene without. On the mantel piece are two very 
handsome candlesticks which look strangely out of place with their surroundings.
[Marie and Persome discovered. Marie stirring some soup on the fire. Persome laying the 
cloth, etc.]
Persome: Marie, isn' t the soup boiling yet ?
Marie: Not yet, madam.
Persome: Well, it ought to be. You haven't tended the fire properly, child.
Marie: But, madam, you yourself made the fire up.
Persome: Don't answer me back like that. It is rude.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Then don't let me have to rebuke you again.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: I wonder where my brother can be. (Looking at the clock.) It is after eleven 
o'clock and no sign of him. Marie !
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Did Monseigneur the Bishop leave any message for me ?
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Did he tell you where he was going?
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome (imitating): 'Yes, madam'. Then why haven't you told me, stupid!
Marie: Madam didn't ask me.
Persome: But that is no reason for your not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
settee : seat with high back
crucifix : image of Jesus on the cross 
candlesticks: a holder made of metal in which a candle stands
Monseigneur: My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)
CBSE
Drama
114
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Don't keep saying 'Yes, Madam' like a parrot, nincompoop.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Well. Where did Monseigneur say he was going?
Marie: To my mother's, madam.
Persome: To your mother's indeed ! And why, pray ?
Marie. Monseigneur asked me how she was, and I told him she was feeling poorly.
Persome : You told him she was feeling poorly did you? And so my brother is to be kept out 
of his bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling 
poorly. There's gratitude for you!
Marie: Madam, the soup is boiling!
Persome: Then pour it out, fool, and don't chatter. (Marie about to do so.) No, no, not like 
that. Here, let me do it, and do you put the salt-cellars on the table-the silver 
ones.
Marie: The silver ones, Madam?
Persome: Yes, the silver ones. Are you deaf as well as stupid?
Marie: They are sold, madam.
Persome: Sold! (with horror) Sold! Are you mad? Who sold them? Why were they sold?
Marie: Monseigneur the Bishop told me this afternoon, while you were out, to take them 
to Monseigneur Gervais, who has often admired them, and sell them for as much 
as I could.
Persome: But you had no right to do so without asking me.
Marie (with awe): But, madam, Monseigneur the Bishop told me.
Persome: Monseigneur the Bishop is a-ahem! But-but what can he have wanted with the 
money!
Marie: Pardon, madam, but I think it was for Mere Gringoire.
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
nincompoop : idiot; fool
feeling poorly : felt unwell; was not feeling well.
salt-cellars: containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table.
Mere: Mother (pronounced mair) 
Gringoire: pronounced Grin-go-ah 
CBSE
Drama
115
Persome: Mere Gringoire indeed! Mere Gringoire! What, the old witch who lives at the top 
of the hill, and who says she is bedridden because she is too lazy to do any 
work? And what did Mere Gringoire want with the money, pray ?
Marie: Madam, it was for the rent. The bailiff would not wait any longer, and threatened 
to turn her out to-day if it were not paid, so she sent little Jean to Monseigneur to 
ask for help, and-
Persome: Oh, mon Dieu! It is hopeless, hopeless. We shall have nothing left. His estate is 
sold, his savings have gone. His furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot 
we should starve ! And now my beautiful-beautiful (sob) salt-cellars. Ah, it is too 
much, too much. (She breaks down crying.)
Marie: Madam, I am sorry, if I had known-
Persome: Sorry, and why pray? If Monseigneur the Bishop chooses to sell his salt-cellars 
he may do so, I suppose. Go and wash your hands, they are disgracefully dirty.
Marie: Yes, madam (going towards R.)
[Enter the Bishop, C.]
Bishop: Ah! how nice and warm it is in here! It is worth going out in the cold for the sake of 
the comfort of coming in.
[Persome has hastened to help him off with his coat etc. Marie has dropped a deep 
courtesy.]
Bishop: Thank you, dear. (Looking at her.) Why, what is the matter ? You have been 
crying. Has Marie been troublesome, eh ? (shaking his finger at her) Ah !
Persome: No, it wasn't Marie-but-but-
Bishop: Well, well, you shall tell me presently! Marie, my child, run home now; your 
mother is better. I have prayed with her, and the doctor has been. Run home! 
(Marie putting on cloak and going.) And, Marie, let yourself in quietly in case your 
mother is asleep.
Marie: Oh, thanks, thanks, Monseigneur.
[She goes to door C. ; as it opens the snow drives in.]
Bishop: Here, Marie, take my comforter, it will keep you warm. It is very cold to-night.
Marie: Oh, no Monseigneur ! (shamefacedly).
bailiff : an officer of the court.
dot: dowry 
presently: shortly; soon 
comforter: muffler
Page 5


14 14
UNIT UNIT
Drama
D.2    The Bishop's Candlesticks
by Norman Mckinnell
112
CBSE
Discuss in groups
1. What would you do in the following situations? Give reasons for your answer
    If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger's 
pocket.
    If you found a wallet on the road.
    If you were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
    If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
    If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child's 
pen.
2. Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the 
roles of
    The child caught stealing
    The child she/he stole from
    The teacher
    The headmaster
    The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. 
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop
The Convict
Persome, the Bishop's sister
Marie
Sergeant of Gendarmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
gendarmes : the police 
CBSE
Drama
113
3. Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
SCENE : The kitchen of the Bishop's cottage, It is plainly but substantially furnished. Doors 
R, and L and L.C. Window R.C. Fireplace with heavy mantelpiece down R. Oak settee with 
cushions behind door L.C. Table in window R.C. with writing materials and crucifix (wood). 
Eight-day clock R. of window. Kitchen dresser with cupboard to lock, down L. Oak dinner 
table R.C. Chairs, books, etc. Winter wood scene without. On the mantel piece are two very 
handsome candlesticks which look strangely out of place with their surroundings.
[Marie and Persome discovered. Marie stirring some soup on the fire. Persome laying the 
cloth, etc.]
Persome: Marie, isn' t the soup boiling yet ?
Marie: Not yet, madam.
Persome: Well, it ought to be. You haven't tended the fire properly, child.
Marie: But, madam, you yourself made the fire up.
Persome: Don't answer me back like that. It is rude.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Then don't let me have to rebuke you again.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: I wonder where my brother can be. (Looking at the clock.) It is after eleven 
o'clock and no sign of him. Marie !
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Did Monseigneur the Bishop leave any message for me ?
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Did he tell you where he was going?
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome (imitating): 'Yes, madam'. Then why haven't you told me, stupid!
Marie: Madam didn't ask me.
Persome: But that is no reason for your not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
settee : seat with high back
crucifix : image of Jesus on the cross 
candlesticks: a holder made of metal in which a candle stands
Monseigneur: My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)
CBSE
Drama
114
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Don't keep saying 'Yes, Madam' like a parrot, nincompoop.
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Well. Where did Monseigneur say he was going?
Marie: To my mother's, madam.
Persome: To your mother's indeed ! And why, pray ?
Marie. Monseigneur asked me how she was, and I told him she was feeling poorly.
Persome : You told him she was feeling poorly did you? And so my brother is to be kept out 
of his bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling 
poorly. There's gratitude for you!
Marie: Madam, the soup is boiling!
Persome: Then pour it out, fool, and don't chatter. (Marie about to do so.) No, no, not like 
that. Here, let me do it, and do you put the salt-cellars on the table-the silver 
ones.
Marie: The silver ones, Madam?
Persome: Yes, the silver ones. Are you deaf as well as stupid?
Marie: They are sold, madam.
Persome: Sold! (with horror) Sold! Are you mad? Who sold them? Why were they sold?
Marie: Monseigneur the Bishop told me this afternoon, while you were out, to take them 
to Monseigneur Gervais, who has often admired them, and sell them for as much 
as I could.
Persome: But you had no right to do so without asking me.
Marie (with awe): But, madam, Monseigneur the Bishop told me.
Persome: Monseigneur the Bishop is a-ahem! But-but what can he have wanted with the 
money!
Marie: Pardon, madam, but I think it was for Mere Gringoire.
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
nincompoop : idiot; fool
feeling poorly : felt unwell; was not feeling well.
salt-cellars: containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table.
Mere: Mother (pronounced mair) 
Gringoire: pronounced Grin-go-ah 
CBSE
Drama
115
Persome: Mere Gringoire indeed! Mere Gringoire! What, the old witch who lives at the top 
of the hill, and who says she is bedridden because she is too lazy to do any 
work? And what did Mere Gringoire want with the money, pray ?
Marie: Madam, it was for the rent. The bailiff would not wait any longer, and threatened 
to turn her out to-day if it were not paid, so she sent little Jean to Monseigneur to 
ask for help, and-
Persome: Oh, mon Dieu! It is hopeless, hopeless. We shall have nothing left. His estate is 
sold, his savings have gone. His furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot 
we should starve ! And now my beautiful-beautiful (sob) salt-cellars. Ah, it is too 
much, too much. (She breaks down crying.)
Marie: Madam, I am sorry, if I had known-
Persome: Sorry, and why pray? If Monseigneur the Bishop chooses to sell his salt-cellars 
he may do so, I suppose. Go and wash your hands, they are disgracefully dirty.
Marie: Yes, madam (going towards R.)
[Enter the Bishop, C.]
Bishop: Ah! how nice and warm it is in here! It is worth going out in the cold for the sake of 
the comfort of coming in.
[Persome has hastened to help him off with his coat etc. Marie has dropped a deep 
courtesy.]
Bishop: Thank you, dear. (Looking at her.) Why, what is the matter ? You have been 
crying. Has Marie been troublesome, eh ? (shaking his finger at her) Ah !
Persome: No, it wasn't Marie-but-but-
Bishop: Well, well, you shall tell me presently! Marie, my child, run home now; your 
mother is better. I have prayed with her, and the doctor has been. Run home! 
(Marie putting on cloak and going.) And, Marie, let yourself in quietly in case your 
mother is asleep.
Marie: Oh, thanks, thanks, Monseigneur.
[She goes to door C. ; as it opens the snow drives in.]
Bishop: Here, Marie, take my comforter, it will keep you warm. It is very cold to-night.
Marie: Oh, no Monseigneur ! (shamefacedly).
bailiff : an officer of the court.
dot: dowry 
presently: shortly; soon 
comforter: muffler
CBSE
Drama
116
Persome: What nonsense, brother, she is young, she won't hurt.
Bishop: Ah, Persome, you have not been out, you don't know how cold it has become. 
Here, Marie, let me put it on for you. (Does so) There! Run along little one. 
[Exit Marie, C.]
Persome: Brother, I have no patience with you. There, sit down and take your soup, it has 
been waiting ever so long. And if it is spoilt, it serves you right.
Bishop: It smells delicious.
Persome: I'm sure Marie's mother is not so ill that you need have stayed out on such a night 
as this. I believe those people pretend to be ill just to have the Bishop call on 
them. They have no thought of the Bishop!
Bishop: It is kind of them to want to see me.
Persome: Well, for my part, I believe that charity begins at home.
Bishop: And so you make me this delicious soup. You are very good to me, sister.
Persome: Good to you, yes! I should think so. I should like to know where you would be 
without me to look after you. The dupe of every idle scamp or lying old woman in 
the parish!
Bishop: If people lie to me they are poorer, not I.
Persome: But it is ridiculous; you will soon have nothing left. You give away everything, 
everything!!!
Bishop: My dear, there is so much suffering in the world, and I can do so little (sighs), so 
very little.
Persome: Suffering, yes; but you never think of the suffering you cause to those who love 
you best, the suffering you cause to me.
Bishop (rising): You, sister dear ? Have I hurt you ? Ah, I remember you had been crying. 
Was it my fault ? I didn' t mean to hurt you. I am sorry.
Persome: Sorry. Yes. Sorry won't mend it. Humph ! Oh, do go on eating your soup before it 
gets cold.
Bishop: Very well, dear. (Sits.) But tell me-
Persome: You are like a child. I can't trust you out of my sight. No sooner is my back turned 
than you get that little minx Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars.
Bishop: Ah, yes, the salt-cellars. It is a pity. You-you were proud of them ? 
dupe: a person who is easily deceived 
scamp: a rascal/vagabond 
parish: an area with its own church