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

 Page 1


120
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.
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
2. 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.
gendarmes  : the police
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
                                  by  Norman Mckinnel
DRAMA
Unit
Page 2


120
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.
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
2. 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.
gendarmes  : the police
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
                                  by  Norman Mckinnel
DRAMA
Unit
121
[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 you not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
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)
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
Drama
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
DRAMA
Page 3


120
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.
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
2. 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.
gendarmes  : the police
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
                                  by  Norman Mckinnel
DRAMA
Unit
121
[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 you not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
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)
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
Drama
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
DRAMA
122
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 did 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.
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-
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
bailiff  : an officer of the court.
Drama
Page 4


120
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.
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
2. 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.
gendarmes  : the police
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
                                  by  Norman Mckinnel
DRAMA
Unit
121
[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 you not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
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)
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
Drama
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
DRAMA
122
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 did 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.
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-
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
bailiff  : an officer of the court.
Drama
123
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 (sobs) 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).
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!
dot: dowry
presently: shortly; soon
comforter: muffler
Drama
Page 5


120
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.
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
2. 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.
gendarmes  : the police
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
                                  by  Norman Mckinnel
DRAMA
Unit
121
[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 you not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought...
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.
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)
Mon Dieu : (French) My God
Drama
D.2   The Bishop's Candlesticks
DRAMA
122
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 did 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.
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-
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
bailiff  : an officer of the court.
Drama
123
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 (sobs) 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).
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!
dot: dowry
presently: shortly; soon
comforter: muffler
Drama
124
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 ?
Persome: Proud of them. Why, they have been in our family for years.
Bishop: Yes, it is a pity. They were beautiful; but still, dear, one can eat salt out of
china just as well.
Persome: Yes, or meat off the floor, I suppose. Oh, it’s coming to that. And as for that old
wretch, Mere Gringoire, I wonder she had the audacity to send here again.
The last time I saw her I gave her such a talking to that it ought to have had
some effect.
Bishop: Yes! I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it
might distress you.
Persome: Distress me !!!
Bishop: And the bailiff, who is a very just man, would not wait longer for the rent, so -
so- you see I had to pay it.
Persome: You had to pay it. (Gesture of comic despair.)
dupe: a person who is easily deceived
scamp: a rascal/vagabond
parish:  an area with its own church
Drama