What does the word dispense mean

distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people.

Explanation:

the characters in string all have major secrets that they strive to avoid revealing throughout the play.

the narrator is saying that the old lady made her feel uncomfortable. you know this because they say "i found that rather irksome", "perhaps it was her being so upright and trim", and "i don't think it was that, because i thought that quaintly pleasant." hope this !