Sentence:  Once started, Mrs. Bolton was better than any book, about the lives of the people. She knew them all so intimately, and had such a peculiar, flamey <WSD>zest</WSD> in all their affairs, it was wonderful, if just a "trifle" humiliating to listen to her. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Enthusiasm; keen enjoyment; relish; gusto.