did everything he could 'cept eat us
He treated us harshly. Other pronouns can be substituted for "he" and "us." When mama found out we had disobeyed her, she was furious and did everything she could 'cept eat us.
did everything he could 'cept eat us
Rur. acted very hostilely. When it came time to pass sentence on the criminal, the judge did everything he could 'cept eat him.