Sentence:  The doctor sat down rather wearily , <WSD>caressing</WSD> the hen and remarking that the city was not the place for a poultry loving man , but no sooner was the remark out than a knock at this door obliged him to cover the hen with his greatcoat once more . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner