nts, and took upon themselves the most menial
labors. Among the works which they might undertake Francis recommended
above all the care of lepers. We have already seen the important part
which these unfortunates played in his conversion; he always retained
for them a peculiar pity, which he sought to make his disciples share.

For several years the Brothers Minor may be said to have gone from
lazaretto to lazaretto, preaching by day in the towns and villages, and
retiring at night to these refuges, where they rendered to these
_patients of God_ the most repugnant services.

The Crucigeri, who took charge of the greater number of leper-houses,
always welcomed these kindly disposed aides, who, far from asking any
sort of recompense, were willing to eat whatever the patients might have
left.[37] In fact, although created solely for the care of lepers, the
Brothers of this Order sometimes lost patience when the sufferers were
too exacting, and instead of being grateful had only murmurs or even
reproaches for their benefactors. In these desperate cases the
intervention of Francis and his disciples was especially precious. It
often happened that a Brother was put in special charge of a single
leper, whose companion and servant he continued to be, sometimes for a
long period.[38]

The following narrative shows Francis's love for these unfortunates, and
his method with them.[39]

It happened one time that the Brothers were serving the lepers
and the sick in a hospital, near to the place where St. Francis
was. Among them was a leper who was so impatient, so
cross-grained, so unendurable, that everyone believed him to be
possessed by the devil, and rightly enough, for he heaped
insults and blows upon those who waited upon him, and what was
worse, he continually insulted and blasphemed the blessed Christ
and his most holy Mother the Virgin Mary, so that there was no
longer anyone who could or would wait upon him. The Brothers
would willingly have endured the insults and abuse which he
lavished upon them, in order to augment the merit of their
patience, but their souls could not consent to hear those which
he uttered against Christ and his Mother. They therefore
resolved to abandon this leper, but not without having told the
whole story exactly to St. Francis, who at that time was
dwelling not far away.

When they told him St. Francis betook himself to the wi