midnight
Pavel shouted after Solomin , whom he had accompanied to the gate . `` No , not now , '' Solomin replied . `` He wanted to know about some night work , '' he explained , turning to his companions . When they reached Borsionkov they had some supper , merely for the sake of politeness , and afterwards lighted cigars and began a discussion , one of those interminable , midnight Russian discussions which in degree and length are only peculiar to Russians and unequalled by people of any other nationality . During the discussion , too , Solomin did not come up to Nejdanov 's expectation . He spoke little -- so little that one might almost have said that he was quite silent . But he listened attentively , and whenever he made any remark or gave an opinion , did so briefly , seriously , showing a considerable amount of common-sense .