Question

Why do you think the man stood with a puzzled air? What did he do when he went into the hovel

Answer 1

He was puzzled because he did not know what to do. Neither did he want to leave Maggie alone, nor did he wish to send her to the poor house. When he went into the hovel, he supported Maggie and told her she would not be left  there alone. He wrapped her with his hands and bore her out into the air across the field.