11. Of the poverty and endurance of her father

This holy virgin's father, Peter Johns above named, although he had come to such poverty, that he toilsomely obtained the necessaries of life by keeping the night watches in the city, nevertheless he was so honest and conscientious that in his need he was unwilling to spend the alms of his daughter, saying that they would be the sins of men. There fore he wished and he persuaded his beloved child, that she would use her self what was offered for God's sake, and expend it on pious purposes. It happened then in the aforesaid severe winter, that his limbs were numbed in the night watches from the excessive cold, and the big toe of the right foot ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM was frostbitten. In which case indeed the probity of the man is shown ; since he chose rather to endure the rigour of the cold, and to support himself by the labour of watching, than to eat up the alms of the poor. For it is written. " Thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands : blessed art thou and it shall be well with thee."

At the same time Duke William, with the Duchess Lady Margaret and a large company, entered the city of Schiedam ; and noticing the poverty of Peter, a most noble man of a military family, moved with a pious compassion, out of reverence for the holiness of his daughter, he bade him ask with con fidence from him, as much as he thought would suffice for his yearly expenses and needs. Who replying simply, asked for twelve crowns of France. The Duke himself marvelled at the modesty of the petitioner, and ordered that these crowns should be given him every year; declaring that he was ready to give double the amount, that he might not longer suffer such want. And this money was at first indeed faithfully paid ; but afterwards it was bestowed on him less willingly, ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM for the favour of man is quickly ex hausted in giving: blessed therefore the man who has his treasure in Heaven, And receiving this alms from the aforesaid Duke William, Peter, not elated because of the benefit bestowed on him, but grateful to God, constantly visited the church, intent on devout prayer as best he could, perfectly contented with his daily food and a moderate raiment.