But to God she could open her heart and to Him she could tell even those little things she would not speak of to any human being.

She could ask God to remember that, boy and man, John had stood by her side for nearly thirty years, and that he was leaving her for a woman who had been unknown a year ago.
She could tell God that John's enthusiastic praise of this strange woman had been hard to bear, and she divined that at least for a time she might have to share her home with her.

She anticipated all the little offenses she must overlook, all the small unconsidered slights she must pass by.

She knew there would be difficulties and differences in which youth and beauty would carry the day against truth and justice; and she sat hour after hour marshaling these trials of her love and temper and facing them all to their logical end.
Some women would have said, "Time enough to face a trial when it comes." No, it is too late then.

Trials apprehended are trials defended; and Martha Hatton knew that she could not trust herself with unexpected trials.