noon
I should despise myself , if I thought it possible that we could agree on any subject . '' If really convinced that he was wrong , he would show it by a slight diminution of his ferocious stubbornness ; but would never acknowledge it in words . If he gained even a doubtful advantage over an adversary , he rubbed his hands , clapped his knees , and chuckled and growled out his satisfaction , in a manner peculiarly his own . He was only tolerable as a companion after taking his third glass of brandy-and-water ; and as he commenced these humanizing doses by daybreak in the morning , repeating them at stated intervals during the four-and-twenty hours , by noon he became sociable and entertaining ; and would descend from his anti-meridian dignity , and condescend to laugh and chat in a dry humorous style , which , if it lacked refinement , was highly amusing . Though an inveterate imbiber of alcohol , he was never positively drunk during the whole voyage . The evil spirits seemed to make no impression upon the iron fibres of his stubborn brain and heart . He judged his morality by the toughness of his constitution , and congratulated himself on being a sober man , while he complained of his second mate , and stigmatised him as a drunken , worthless fellow , because one glass of punch made him intoxicated .