It is not hard to imagine Sister Martha punishing Thérèse after Thérèse confronted her about her relationship with Mother Gonzague. Sister Martha often sulked and treated others coldly when she was hurt. She knew that Thérèse was scrupulous and deathly afraid of offending God. What better way could Sister Martha punish Thérèse than to act coldly and make Thérèse feel guilty about what she had said?
