The hungry man ran to the kitchen to eat.
The predicate is “Ran”
Predicate = Verb
The complete predicate is “Ran to the kitchen to eat”
The setting which begins to answer your question is the sentence that begins "Most conversations between husband and wife ... " this is near the beginning.
The real core of your question comes with "This aloofness ... " which shows how he handles the disputes with his wife. This is followed by "He attained this by ... " which tells exactly how the aloofness came about. Finally he surrounds himself with people that insulate him from the fights he has will his wife. His bridge games probably insure that he does not have to talk to her.
