midnight
The cinder-gray stranger paused , as if to consider whether he would accept that definition of himself . He presently rejected it by answering , `` Rich is not quite the word for me , dame . I do work , and I must work . And even if I only get to Casterbridge by midnight I must begin work there at eight to-morrow morning . Yes , hot or wet , blow or snow , famine or sword , my day 's work to-morrow must be done . '' `` Poor man ! Then , in spite o ' seeming , you be worse off than we ? ''