midnight
`` If Ruth is to be surprised now , some one will have to get up early in the morning , '' declared Elfreda with satisfaction , as she collected the dishes for washing after the guests had departed . `` And that some one will be doomed to feel foolish , '' added Miriam . Midyears , a season of terror to freshmen , a still alarming period to sophomores , but no very great bugbear to the two upper classes , came and went . During that strenuous week the usual amount of midnight oil was burnt , the usual amount of feverish reviewing done , and the usual amount of celebrating indulged in when the ordeal was passed . `` Do n't forget the game to-morrow , '' said J. Elfreda Briggs to the girls at her end of the breakfast table one morning in early March . `` The only one this year in which the celebrated center , Miss Josephine Elfreda Briggs , will take part . Sounds like a grand opera announcement , does n't it ?