{She} looked as if her nerves were quivering with the expectation that something would be thrown at her. But she never had anything worse than words to dread.
The character described seems to be in a constant state of anxiety, anticipating a negative reaction from those around her. Her nerves are so frayed that she appears to be bracing herself for an imminent emotional blow, suggesting a deep-seated fear of confrontation or criticism. Despite this, her fears are mostly confined to verbal attacks rather than physical ones, indicating a complex interplay between her inner turmoil and the external reality...