These squares are one of the charms of Assisi.
Every few paces an interval occurs between the houses looking toward the plain, and you find a delightful terrace, shaded by a few trees, the very place for enjoying the sunset without losing one of its splendors.
Hither no doubt came often the son of Bernardone, leading one of those _farandoles_ which you may see there to this day: from his very babyhood he was a prince among the children.
Thomas of Celano draws an appalling picture of the education of that day.

He describes parents inciting their children to vice, and driving them by main force to wrong-doing.

Francis responded only too quickly to these unhappy lessons.[15] His father's profession and the possibly noble origin of his mother raised him almost to the level of the titled families of the country; money, which he spent with both hands, made him welcome among them.

Well pleased to enjoy themselves at his expense, the young nobles paid him a sort of court.

As to Bernardone, he was too happy to see his son associating with them to be niggardly as to the means.