He was afraid of Ford and he showed it.
"That's just what (no offense, Ford--I ain't responsible) that's what everybody's wondering.

Nobody seems to know.

They kinda hoped you'd explain--" "Sure!" Ford's tone was growing extremely ominous.

"I'll explain a lot of things--if I hear any gabbling going on about my affairs." He was seized then with an uncomfortable feeling that the words were mere puerile blustering and turned away from the bar in disgust.
In disgust he pulled open the door, flinched before the blast of wind and snow which smote him full in the face and blinded him, and went out again into the storm.

The hotel porch was a bleak place, with snow six inches deep and icy boards upon which a man might easily slip and break a bone or two, and with a whine overhead as the wind sucked under the roof.