To answer this question, we need to understand the meanings of the options and determine which one best fits the context of the sentence.
Option A) malfeasance - Malfeasance refers to wrongdoing or illegal activity. It does not fit the context of the sentence as it does not describe the emotional state of the community upon hearing the news.
Option B) blasphemy - Blasphemy refers to speaking disrespectfully about God or sacred things. It is unrelated to the emotional state of the community and is not a suitable choice.
Option C) largess - Largess refers to generosity or giving gifts. It does not fit the context of the sentence as it does not describe the emotional state of the community upon hearing the news.
Option D) malaise - Malaise refers to a general feeling of discomfort, unease, or illness. This option best fits the context of the sentence as it describes the emotional state of the community upon hearing the horrid news.
Therefore, the correct answer is D) malaise. This option is correct because it accurately describes the emotional state that seemed to befall the entire community upon hearing the horrid news.