He placed his hands on Don Clemente's shoulders.
"Dear Master," he said, his face softening, "I am leaving the roof, the bread, the habit which were offered me, but while I have life, I will not cease telling of Christ, who is the Truth! I go forth, but not to remain silent.

Do you remember giving me the letter to read, that St.
Peter Damian wrote to a layman, who preached?
That man preached in the church.

I will not preach in the church, but if Christ wish me to speak in the dwellings of the poor, I will speak in the dwellings of the poor; if He wish me to speak in the palace, I will speak in the palace; if He wish me to speak in the cubicles, I will speak in the cubicles; if He wish me to speak on the housetops, I will speak on the housetops.

Think of the man who laboured in Christ's name, and was forbidden to do so by the disciples.

Christ said: 'Forbid him not.' Shall we obey the disciple or shall we obey Christ ?" "You are right about the man in the Gospel, _caro_," Don Clemente replied, "but remember that one may mistake what is really Christ's will." Don Clemente's heart did not speak precisely thus, but the heart's imprudent, undisciplined words were not allowed to pass his lips.
"After all, _Padre mio_," Benedetto continued, "believe me, I am not banished because I preached the Gospel to the people.