It had taken more generally the form of sullen brooding than of wild wrath, and the irritation and passion which had lately been increasing visibly in him was something comparatively new.
Of late, however, there had been growing friction between Cuthbert and his father.

The youth, who had remained longer a boy in his secluded life than he would have done had his lot been cast in a wider sphere, was awakening at last to the stirrings of manhood within him, and was chafing against the fetters, both physical and spiritual, laid upon him by the life he was forced to lead through the tyrannical will of his father.

He was beginning, in a semi-conscious fashion, to pant for freedom, and to rebel against the harsh paternal yoke.
When a struggle of wills commences, the friction continues a long while before the spark is produced; but when some unwonted contest has ignited this, the flame often bursts out in wonderful fury, and the whole scene is thence forward changed.
If the old man's blood was up today, Cuthbert's was no less so.

He shook himself free for a moment from his father's grasp and stood before him, tall, upright, indignant, no fear in his face, but a deep anger and pain; and his words were spoken with great emphasis and deliberation.
"I will swear nothing of all that.

I claim for myself the right of a man to judge for myself and act for myself.