gladly would she listen to the Word of God, and, like Mary, was never
sated with the sweetness of the Holy Scriptures that were read.

When any one at meal-time read somewhat incorrectly and stammered over
the words, this venerable woman said to him "Read no more and do not
defile the Word of God lest harm come to holy things and they that hear
be offended in thee. Let another read that hath better skill thereto,
that we may all understand and be edified."

After no long time this good woman came to the end of her life on the
Thursday in Holy Week after Mass was ended, and she was buried at Zwolle
by her friends and the Brothers. From that hour and day, for three whole
days, her son John Ummen fasted from every kind of food to promote his
mother's salvation, and he neither ate nor drank aught until the dawning
of the day of the Lord's Passover, and yet was he as whole in body and in
strength as if he had been well fed every day.

And as these servants of God lived in poverty and at the common charge it
came to pass that many men that were in the world, considering their holy
life, came together to them, being eager to serve God and to leave the
world, in the hope of an eternal gain. Meanwhile it happened that the
venerable Master Gerard Groote came to Zwolle about the beginning of
Lent, and of necessity abode there certain days, since he was anxious to
comfort his poor children, for it was his desire to refresh with the word
of consolation those whom he had drawn to leave the world. So a very
great company of people came together to his preaching, and many devoutly
submitted themselves to his counsel, for sometimes he would preach two
sermons in one day so as to water the chosen vineyard of the Lord. And
if he had determined to preach after the midday meal, he would remain
praying in the Church or walking in meditation in the churchyard, taking