Midnight
`` Poor old Freda ! Beastly hard luck ! '' murmured Winona , waving a sympathetic greeting to her friend . The Midnight Race had been intensely interesting , but the Obstacle Race proved an even greater excitement . Two thin planks of wood were placed across the bath , floating upon the water . The competitors started from the deep end , dived under the first plank , and then scrambled over the second . At the shallow end were a number of large round wash-tubs ; each candidate had to seize upon one of these and seat herself in it , a most difficult feat of fine balancing , for unless she hit upon the exact center of gravity , the tub promptly overturned , and flung her into the water .