stall through

[constantinusphilo]

The women were neither young nor old nor of any particular social class; yet the party gave the impression of a unit, held more closely together for example than a group of wives stalling through a professional congress of their husbands.
Gentle is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
What does 'stalling through' mean here?

 

[tedmc]

Causing an event to come to a standstill.

 

[emsr2d2]

I've never heard of anyone "stalling through" anything and, to be honest, I don't understand what Fitzgerald is trying to say at all there!

 

[SoothingDave]

Given the context (women at a conference their husbands are attending), and knowing how they hold events and such to keep the women occupied during these things, I believe the reference is to "stalling" an animal. As in "keeping it in a stall."

That is, the women are corralled into various events to keep them safe and in one place.