Sentence:  Garth was prepared to be helpful in what he referred to with fastidious distaste as this unfortunate Johnston <WSD>affair</WSD> , which would not , he said more than once , have ever come about if Mrs. Meeker had only seen fit to consult Mr. Hohlbein or him about it . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a vaguely specified concern