Meanings of slightest preparation in English

To find this suddenly gone, in a moment, without the slightest preparation, was extremely embarrassing.

She had just arrived, and asked; and they answered her that he was dead, without the slightest preparation!

The greater number of them marry young, and suddenly enter upon a life for which they have not received the slightest preparation.

One morning while at our breakfast, and without the slightest preparation, tidings was brought to me that Chicago was destroyed by fire.

Then, coming into the drawing-room, Babie perched herself on his knee, and began, without the slightest preparation, the recitation of Cowper's "Colubriad":-

He thought he must go, though he was aware that he had not made even the slightest preparation for future obedience to his friend's precepts.

"Clear the way, then," and without the slightest preparation Dan turned three somersaults one after the other and came up on his feet.