midnight
said Wilhelm . `` Of my childhood , '' repeated Otto , and they made themselves a way through the tumult . They met with several young noblemen , relatives of Wilhelm , with the cousin who had written the verses for the Christmas tree ; also several friends from the carouse , and the company increased . They intended , like many others , to pass the night in the wood , and at midnight drink out of Kirsten Piil 's well . `` Only with the increasing darkness will it become thoroughly merry here , '' thought they : but Otto had appointed to be in the city again toward evening . `` Nothing will come out of that ! '' said the poet ; `` if you wish to escape , we shall bind you fast to one of us . ''