Another case in point is Green's handling of the encounters between Saint Francis and Saint Claire, events passed over rather lightly by other biographers, but which managed to inspire many painters, notably those of the Cimabue School. After elaborate details concerning the background of child and teenager Claire, Green dwells upon the chance and premeditated meetings between Giovanni Francesco Bemardone and his female admirer. He was then twelve years older than she, but that was of no importance because his words were those she would have uttered if she had dared, and they seemed to emerge both from his mouth and from her soul. In his presence she was falling in love with Love, as is proper for a sentimental and idealistic youth. She too was very pious, young Claire.
Examples are available in abundance.
Even as a child she led a quasi-angelic existence. One of her most characteristic traits was her desire not to be seen by anyone. Under the silky, elegant clothes in which she was dressed she would wear, next to her skin, another article of clothing made of rough and cheap Cilician goat hair. In secret, she always found a way of putting aside and then giving to the poor some of the elaborate dishes served at her table. In secret, too, she spent hours praying, much as a mature and devoted nun.