"I--I can't help it.
This feller's got what ailed the parrot--he talks too darn much.
He's got to stop! He's GOT to!" But Grover was paying little attention.

He was looking at Ruth.
"Mrs.Armstrong," he asked, "has he been saying--saying things he should not say about you?
Is that the trouble ?" She answered without returning his look.
"Yes," she said, almost in a whisper.

"About me and--and my-- Yes, that was it." The Major's eyes flashed.

"Let go of him, Jed," he commanded.

Jed hesitated.
"If I do he'll blow up again," he said.
"Let go of him." Jed let go.