timid, nervous, shanky

"The Ellen's voice was heard, timid and a little tremulous; farm women didn't enter often into man-talk of politics or national affairs." (pg. 29)

"She tried brewing drinks of roasted grain or roots, but her nervous system was not deceived by a beverage that resembled coffee only in appearance." (pg. 65)

I see no evidence of the word "shanky" in the text.