She went to the few friars attached to her monastery, and thanking them for their services, "Go," she said; "since they deprive us of those who dispense to us spiritual bread, we will not have those who procure for us our material bread." He who wrote that "_the necks of kings and princes are bowed at the feet of the priests_" was obliged to bow before this woman and raise his prohibition.[33] St.Damian had too often echoed with St.Francis's hymns of love and liberty to forget him so soon and become an ordinary convent.

Clara remained surrounded with the master's early companions; Egidio, Leo, Angelo, Ginepro never ceased to be assiduous visitors.

These true lovers of poverty felt themselves at home there, and took liberties which would elsewhere have given surprise.

One day an English friar, a celebrated theologian, came according to the minister's orders to preach at St.
Damian.

Suddenly Egidio, though a simple layman, interrupted him: "Stop, brother, let me speak," he said to him.