her food, (long pause the Bishop gently pats his hand) They caught me. I pleaded to them, I told them why I stole but they laughed at me, and I was sentenced to ten years in the prison hulks, (pause) ten years in Hell. The night I was sentenced the gaoler told me—told me Jeanette was dead. (sobs, with fury) Ah, damn them, damn them. God curse them all (he sinks on the table sobbing).
Bishop. Now tell me about the prison ship, about Hell.
Convict. Tell you about it? Look here, I was a man once. I'm a beast now and they made me what I am. They chained me up like a wild animal, they lashed me like a hound. I fed on filth, I was covered with vermin, I slept on boards and I complained. Then they lashed me again. For ten years, ten years. Oh God! They took away my name, they took away my soul and they gave me a devil in its place, but one day they were careless, one day they forgot to chain up their wild beast and he escaped. He was free. That was six weeks ago. I was free, free to starve.
Bishop. To starve?
Convict. Yes, to starve. They feed you in Hell, but when you escape from it you starve. They were hunting me everywhere and I had no passport, no name. So I stole again, I stole these rags, I stole my food daily, I slept in the woods, in barns, anywhere. I dare not ask for work, I dare not go into a town to beg, so I stole and they have made me what I am, they have made me a thief. God curse them all. (empties the bottle and throws it into the fireplace r. smashing it.)
Bishop. My son, you have suffered much but there is hope for all.
Convict. Hope! Hope! Ha! ha! ha! (laughs wildly)
Bishop. You have walked far, you are tired. Lie down and sleep on the couch there and I will get you some coverings.
