midnight
Now they begin to drink quietly and to tell anecdotes between the rounds . One man does not interrupt another , but when one has finished his story , another says , `` I know one still better than that , '' and begins : `` the matter happened here or there , I myself being present . '' The anecdotes at times reached the utmost pitch of obscenity and at such times I was displeased to hear Lorand laugh over such jokes as expressed contempt for womankind . I was only calmed by the thought that `` our own '' were long in bed -- it was after midnight -- and so it were impossible for mother or someone else out of curiosity to be listening at the keyhole , waiting for Lorand 's voice . All at once Lorand took over the lead in the conversation . He introduced the question `` Which is the most celebrated drinking nation in the world ? '' He himself for his part immediately said he considered the Germans were the most renowned drinkers .