"Hullo, Hazel," he replied softly, looking down at her and holding her close. "...do you need to sit down?" he asked, concerned that she might collapse or fall down or faint or something.
She looked like she was under so much stress, and that everything was about to break, which he more than understood. He wanted to ask what was wrong because something so clearly was, but he didn't want to pry and make her even more upset than she already was.
So he just held her, rubbing her back lightly and hoping that he was helping.