midnight
Just after they had fixed themselves comfortably , Johnny said , `` Are you ready ? '' `` Ready ! '' said Tommy , and gathered up the reins , and the next moment the goats started off , at first at a walk and then at a little trot , while Tommy was telling Johnny what his father had told him about the night in Santa Claus 's country being so long that sometimes the sun did not rise above the horizon for several months . `` If it 's as long as that , '' said Johnny , `` we might go and see the old fellow and get back before midnight ? I wish we could go . '' `` So do I , '' said Tommy , `` but I 'm afraid we might not find our way . '' He remembered just then that all one had to do was to steer by the North Star , and at that moment he caught sight of the star right over the goats ' heads .