Could there be any good God, she wondered, if He allowed such things to happen.

Poor girl! it was her first experience of the sort, and as yet she did not know what things are allowed to happen in this world in obedience to the workings of unalterable laws by whoever and for whatever purpose these may be decreed.
Being ignorant, however, and still very young and untaught of life, she could not be expected to take these large views, or to guess at the Hand of Mercy which holds the cup of human woes.

She saw her mother fading away because of her father's obstinacy and self-seeking, and it was inconceivable to her that such an unnecessary thing could be allowed by a gentle and loving Providence.

Therefore, she turned her back on Providence, as many a strong soul has done before her, rejecting it for the reason that she could not understand.
Had she but guessed, this attitude of hers, which could not be concealed entirely in the case of a nature so frank, was the bitterest drop in her mother's draught of death.

She, poor gentle creature, made no complaints, but only excuses for her husband's conduct.