What is 'I have been called things'?
'It's early for dinner yet,' Walter said. 'Let us walk home by the river and up by the field-path. I am sorry about the row, but I expect that in your job you are used to temperaments.'
'Well, I have been called things, of course, but so far nothing has actually been flung at me.'

(Chapter 4 - To Love and Be Wise, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks08/0800551h.html#ch04)

Question

What is 'I have been called things'?
'It's early for dinner yet,' Walter said. 'Let us walk home by the river and up by the field-path. I am sorry about the row, but I expect that in your job you are used to temperaments.'
'Well, I have been called things, of course, but so far nothing has actually been flung at me.'

(Chapter 4 - To Love and Be Wise, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks08/0800551h.html#ch04)

Answer

In this sentence, the person means "I have been called bad things". The person has been called bad names or sworn at by other people.