I have a very simple `java` class that I am trying to port to `Python`, but I'm stuck on the line:

```
int value = Character.getNumericValue(character);

```

I have found [this](http://www.devmanuals.com/tutorials/java/corejava/Characters/getNumericValue.html) example, but I don't understand how `Character.getNumericValue(character)` could return `10` (since the ASCII value is `65` for instance). 

Without understanding this line, it's difficult to port it.