In this version of “The Story of the White Pet”, the cat sleeps in the candle press. What is the nature of this candle press? Are we talking about a big tub?
Candle press is to candles as linen press is to linens?
(A cabinet to store candles in?)
You must be right; right afterwards it says the thief “put his hand in the box”. So, we know it is some kind of boxy enclosed storage space big enough for a cat to sleep in.
This is correct. It is a box where candles are stored. Rather like a linen press keeps the linens from getting dirty and eaten by bugs, a candle press keeps candles from getting dirty and melty.