His manner of stating his grievance was singular.

He began by swearing at his employer.

He had been insulted before all the quarter--his rage fairly choked him, he could not speak.
Tom seized the opportunity to swear back.

He wanted to know if he hadn't troubles enough without the overseer's help?
If he'd got himself insulted it was his own affair and he could lump it, generally speaking, and get out of that office! But Tom's fury quickly spent itself.

He wanted to know what the matter was.
"Sent you off the place, did she; well, you'll have to eat crow.