little space."

On certain days the rule allowed them to eat flesh meats, but if at such
times a larger mess was set before them, yet was it not more daintily
cooked. Furthermore, certain amongst them, who while they dwelt in the
world had been taught to love a very different fare, were now content
with scanty and coarse food, doing great violence to their lusts thereby;
but yet they bore all these things patiently after that saying of Christ,
"The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by
force." Sometimes when supper was ended scarce aught did remain to be
divided amongst them on the day following; at other times there was lack
of utensils or cooking pots, or suitable food would fail; but God the
Maker of all things, who of old did feed the people in the wilderness,
did not desert the Brothers on the Mount. So it once came about that
when they had consumed almost all their food, Gerard the cook being
anxious for the morrow, made his lack known to Father John, saying sadly
"What shall I set before them to-morrow?" But John consoled his sadness
with kindly words, and exhorted him to have faith in the Lord, who doth
not fail them that hope in Him. And when that day had drawn on to
evening, Everard of Eza, Curate of Almelo, came unexpectedly in his
chariot as if sent by God to comfort the poor. He was received by the
Brothers eagerly and reverently, and they brought him in as if the
Hospice was his own, for he loved the House and all that dwelt therein by
reason of their utter poverty and their simple manner of life, and
because their desire was to hinder none, but to profit all men; moreover
he was united to Father John by a special bond of love. Wherefore, when
he had determined to travel to Windesem, or had business at Zwolle, he
delighted to come first to the Brothers on the Mount; and being a mighty
shepherd of souls as well as a most skilful physician, he alighted from
his carriage and fed souls that were in want thereof with the fodder of
the Holy Word, and likewise cheered the faint of heart by giving them the
food they lacked. He had brought with him fine meal, and flesh, and he
gave the same to the Brothers for their common use; and they receiving
the gifts he offered were all comforted by their better fortune, and gave
thanks to God and to Everard that of his bounty he had provided for them
and succoured them in their so great need. At another time, also, divers
poor Clerks had b