midnight
At a nearby dramshop they jointly purchased a jugful of beer ; then took it home , lit the lamp , and began their conversation . It turned particularly on a new tax bill , which would add another serious burden to those under which the working classes were groaning . The aim was to gain as many opponents to it as possible , so that at the last reading in the Reichstag an overwhelming majority could be secured against the measure , sufficient to bring about its defeat . The two friends were engaged in eager discussion until after midnight . When they parted they had reached perfect agreement . On the day following Schmitz was in a state of feverish agitation . It seemed strange to him , after all .