have been more tender than he
was.

In a very great measure Francis possessed the discernment of spirits.
He seemed to know intuitively what people were thinking about. One
day, during the last years of his life, when he had been obliged
through bodily weakness to ride on an ass, he surprised the brother
who was trudging alongside him, by getting off and saying--

[Sidenote: _Francis' Tact._]

"Here, brother, get on, it is more fitting that you, who are of noble
birth, should ride, rather than I, who am of humble origin."

The brother immediately fell on his knees and, asking forgiveness,
confessed that he had been grumbling to himself that he, whose family
would never have had anything to do with that of Pietro Bernardone's,
had been obliged to follow the ass of Francis Bernardone!

Another brother was greatly troubled because he thought Francis did
not love him. He told himself that Francis hardly ever noticed or
spoke to him, and then he began to argue that probably God, too, paid
no attention to him. He determined to see his leader about it. As soon
as ever he appeared before Francis, and before he could get out a
word, Francis said--

"It is a temptation, my brother, believe me, it is a temptation. I
have the truest affection for you, and you deserve this affection.
Come to me whenever you want, and we will talk things over."

One can easily imagine the joy of the once forlorn brother!

Not only could Francis move the crowds and hold them spell-bound with
his fiery words, but he had also the power to reach and touch men's
hearts in private. He was always accessible to that individual, be he
saint or sinner, who was in need. In times of darkness and depression,
he was the support of the brothers. He knew well the stages that a
soul passes through after it has taken the final step of separateness
from the world. In critical moments he was theirs to soothe and
comfort with prayer and advice. It was not only the faltering saint
that he lavished his tenderness upon; he was just as careful of the
faulty and ungrateful, and nothing could exceed the love with which he
strove to lure them back when he saw they were inclined to go ever so
little astray. "A superior," he used to say, "is more of a tyrant than
a father if he waits to interfere until a fault has been committed or
a fall has occurred!"

[Sidenote: _No Alternative._]

However, in spite of his tenderness, Francis could be iron strong when
there was a