Don Clemente rang the bell.

They would be obliged to wait some time, for at nine o'clock, or shortly after, all the keys of the monastery were taken to the Abbot.
"Then you will allow me to remain outside ?" Benedetto asked.
On other occasions when the master had granted him this permission, he had climbed the bare heights of Colle Lungo above the monastery, and passed the night in prayer, either there, or on the heights of Taleo, or on the rocky hillside which is crossed in going from the oratory of Santa Crocella to the grove of the Sacro Speco.

The master hesitated a moment; he had not thought of this wish of Benedetto's again.

And precisely to-day his disciple had looked to him more emaciated, more bloodless, than usual; he feared for his health, which was much impaired by the fatigues of labour in the fields, by penance, and by a life devoid of comfort.

This the master told him.
"Do not consider my body," the young man pleaded humbly and ardently.
"My body is infinitely remote from me! Fear rather that I may not do all that is possible to ascertain the Divine Will!" He added that he would also pray for light concerning this meeting, and that he had never felt God so near as when praying on the hills.