Am I, then, responsible for their souls ?" At first Francis excused himself, alleging his ignorance, but urged by his interlocutor he said at last: "Yes, the true servant unceasingly rebukes the wicked, but he does it most of all by his conduct, by the truth which shines forth in his words, by the light of his example, by all the radiance of his life."[15] He soon suffered so grave a relapse that the Brothers thought his last hour had come.

They were especially affrighted by the hemorrhages, which reduced him to a state of extreme prostration.

Brother Elias hastened to him.

At his arrival the invalid felt in himself such an improvement that they could acquiesce in his desire to be taken back to Umbria.

Toward the middle of April they set out, going in the direction of Cortona.