Nat gave a shudder at the yelling and worried about the woman all the more.  What had he meant about not getting anything else?  Was the woman not to have money of her own to take care of her needs now, because of Nat?  She had not wanted to cause trouble. 

When the other lady's hands went to her face, Nat raised closer and patted the woman's shoulder.  "I thank you for that, but I don't want you to have trouble because of me.  I mean nothing to you, and he is your husband.  The father of your baby."  She spoke quietly and was confused by what was happening then.