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days. I have asked at every inn. All I was told was
“Get out!” I want food. I’m starving. Give me food
quickly.

Bishop : calmly Sister, put an-
Not to be republished
other plate on the table
and put some sheets on
the bed in the above.
Trembling and stifling a
©KTBS
scream, Baptistine goes
to carry out the orders.
Bishop : Friend, sit down and
warm yourself. You may
be tired. While we have
supper, your bed will be made ready.

Convict : Do you understand? I am a convict. You call me
‘friend’ and don’t say, “Get out, dog!” as everybody
else does. You must be a great soul. Thank You!

Bishop : You are suffering. You are hungry and thirsty. You
mustn’t thank me. Sister! The lamp gives a very
poor light. Bring the silver candlesticks and light
them.

(Baptistine goes to the mantel, brings the silver
candlesticks and lights them. She serves them
supper – soup, cheese, mutton and large loaf of
bread. The convict devours.)
Bishop : to convict You must have suffered a lot.

Convict : My God, yes. That’s a long time ago. That was when
I was a man, now I’m not a man. I’m a number.
Number 24601. And I’ve lived in hell for nineteen
years.
Bishop : Tell me about it – about the hell you lived in.

Convict : It’s so long ago. I forget. dreamily I lived with my
sister and her seven children. Then….suddenly
and very rapidly yes, I remember! She was ill, we
had no food, I could get no work. The children were

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