fterward a great example), but
the other was Conrad Mom. These earnestly sought to be received here,
but the members of the House made answer saying that in this region there
would be too much talk if this were done, and if they remained in this
place, for their parents dwelt hard by: let them rather go to Eemsteyn.
And receiving this reply the men took it ill enough, so that I heard one
of them exclaim in a sad voice: "May God pity us in that we cannot obtain
or know any place of rest for this cause, namely, that we are rich." And
they went obediently to Eemsteyn.

XXVI. _Of their Charity_.

These men also were wondrous charitably disposed toward all that did
lack, especially toward new Houses of our own order that were begun in
poverty. These they desired to help to an extent even beyond their
power, by transferring to them both goods and men, as is manifest not
only in the matter of the two youths aforementioned, but also in the case
of divers others that were rich and desired to dwell with them. These
they did often direct to other monasteries to relieve their needs, for
they sought not what might be profitable to themselves, but rather what
should be so to others. Thus they sent Arnold Droem to Mount St. Agnes,
Stephen Wael to the Valley of Peace, and Brother Nicholas Bochorst to
Nazareth, and so forth.

In like manner it was agreed by the community with regard to Brother John
ten Water that he should be sent to the Fount of the Blessed Mary where
there seemed to be notable scarcity; yet by his lowliness and his great
importunity that he should by no means be parted from the Brothers, he
did overcome this resolution.

But the well spring of their goodness ceased not with these, rather it
did flow forth and reach all men, especially poor Clerks and members of
the Houses of the New Devotion. What man did ever return from them empty-
handed? for if the petitioner were rich, he brought back counsel, if he
were poor he received help.

XXVII. _Concerning Gherard of Renen_.

There was in those days, that is, amongst the first Fathers, a man of
great age, who was by no means the least of his own folk, and his name
was Gherard of Renen. He would sojourn for long spaces of time with the
Brothers at Windesem, for he was bound to them by an exceeding love: and
being on a time in the House at Utrecht wherein I dwelt, and in the
presence of a certain honourable matron who was his kinswoman, he began
to speak of t