Reticence: noun: the quality or state of being reticent: reserve, restraint

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reticence

From: “Quicksand” by Nella Larsen, chapter 16, page 121

“Helga had been silent, thinking what a severe wrench to Herr Dahl’s ideas of decency was this conversation. For he had an almost fanatic regard for reticence, and a peculiar shrinking from what he looked upon as indecent exposure of the emotions.”

The use of reticence shows the reader that Herr Dahl is a very reserved person and that this conversation is out of the ordinary for someone of that demeanor.