dabeisein

2. ‘…sind… “dabei”.’ Literally the verb ‘dabeisein’ means simply ‘to be at that place’, ‘to be there alongside’; but it also has other connotations which give an ironical touch to this passage, for it may also mean, ‘to be engaged in’ some activity, ‘to be at it’, ‘to be in the swim’, ‘to be ready to be “counted in” ’. (BTMR:282)