She was all in a tremble.

She must have said something about Lantier to Virginie, for the latter pushed her husband and Goujet ahead, telling them to walk in front.

The two women got on each side of Coupeau to keep him occupied and prevent him seeing Lantier.

He wasn't really drunk, being more intoxicated from shouting than from drinking.

Since they seemed to want to stay on the left side, to tease them, he crossed over to the other side of the street.
Worried, they ran after him and tried to block his view of the door of Francois's.