noon
He then set out for the church , where he had an altercation with the sexton , which had resulted in blows but for his courage giving out . Twice he lost his temper , and twice he regained it . He at length got into the church , in search of his chickens ; and to his great surprise and mortification , found that some political or military enemy -LRB- he would swear it was no one else -RRB- had broken his coop , and set them loose among the pews . Indeed it was high noon when the major got possession of his fowls , which he did with the aid of the sexton and several mischievous boys . He then secured them nicely in his coop , and having shouldered it , returned to his wife , presenting her with another proof of the success of his voyage , and relating how he got the advantage of Mrs. Trotbridge in the trade of the Shanghais . After which he seated himself in a chair , and for several minutes seemed absorbed in deep study . `` Now , I tell thee , my dear Polly , '' he suddenly broke out , `` Major Potter was born for no ordinary man .