midnight
The booming of the bells mingled with the rumble of carriages , and above the chaos of sounds rose the brisk tenor tones of the nearest church and a loud shrill laugh . `` What a lot of people ! '' sighed Nevyrazimov , looking down into the street , where shadows of men flitted one after another by the illumination lamps . `` They 're all hurrying to the midnight service ... . Our fellows have had a drink by now , you may be sure , and are strolling about the town . What a lot of laughter , what a lot of talk ! I 'm the only unlucky one , to have to sit here on such a day : And I have to do it every year ! ''