But if Fra Paolo derived no added _finesse_ for his masterful thought
from the confidences he so often unconsciously invited from this
lifelong friend, his faith in the sincerity and spiritual depth of this
brother friar who, out of love for him, listened to much that pained
him, taught him to value at its highest this opportunity of the closest
scrutiny of his own motives, as he noted the impression of their talk on
a nature as sincere and spiritual as it was transparent.
But that night, when they had passed from the cloister into Fra Paolo's
study-cell, continuing as they walked the train of thought they had been
discussing, his listener soon became so distrait that Fra Paolo, who was
singularly conscious of unspoken moods, dropped the problem he was
unfolding and laid his hand upon his shoulder with the rare tenderness
expressed only where he hoped that he might serve.
"We were speaking of weighty matter and thy thoughts are not with me.
Tell me thy trouble."
"It is a question of responsibility--the burden of the confessional,"
Fra Francesco answered simply.
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