He involved himself in fearful political and social discussions with Heise the harness-maker, and with one or two old German, habitues of the place.

These discussions Marcus carried on, as was his custom, at the top of his voice, gesticulating fiercely, banging the table with his fists, brandishing the plates and glasses, exciting himself with his own clamor.
On a certain Saturday evening, a few days after the scene at the coffee-joint, the dentist bethought him to spend a quiet evening at Frenna's.

He had not been there for some time, and, besides that, it occurred to him that the day was his birthday.

He would permit himself an extra pipe and a few glasses of beer.

When McTeague entered Frenna's back room by the street door, he found Marcus and Heise already installed at one of the tables.