The next competition was for style.  The candidates swam first on their sides, then on their backs, and finally on their backs moving their legs only, their arms being placed on their hips.  The judge put down marks for each according to what she considered their deserts; until the list should be made up, nobody knew who, in her expert opinion, had done the best.

It was now the turn of the Midnight Race, a most important event, to which the spectators were looking forward keenly.  Only the best swimmers were allowed to take part, the other candidates had to content themselves with watching.  The selected ten retired to the dressing-room, and in a few moments emerged, each clad in a long white nightdress, and holding a candlestick with a lighted candle in her hand.  A roar of applause rose from the gallery as the white-robed figures formed into line.  Every girl placed her candlestick on the edge of the bath, and getting into the water, held on to the rail at attention.  When the judge gave the signal, each seized her candlestick and commenced to swim on her back to the other side of the bath, holding up the candle in her left hand.  It was a feat that required steadiness and skill.  Evelyn Richards tried to hurry too fast, and the draft caused by her over-quick passage blew out her flame.  Mollie Hill caught her foot in her nightdress, and dropped her candle altogether.  Jess Gardner pursued the original method of holding her candlestick in her teeth, and using both arms to swim.  There was keen excitement as the candidates cautiously worked their way across.  Each was required to place her candle for a second on the edge of the bath, and then to swim back to the original starting point.  Only five competitors were in the running for the return journey—­Winona, Audrey Redfern, Elsie Parton, Dora Lloyd (a Fourth Form girl), and little Olga Dickinson.  The temptation to swim too fast was overwhelming, and Audrey fell a victim to it, her flame going out just in the middle of the bath.  Olga Dickinson actually reached the starting point the first, but Winona and Elsie Parton were only a second behind her, placing their candlesticks down at the very same moment.

“I wonder how the score’s going?” said Winona, as the Seniors stood watching the Junior Handicap Race.

“I’ve no idea,” returned Audrey.  “You see we don’t know what marks Miss Gatehead has given for style, and several other things.  She doesn’t judge exactly like Miss Medland does.  It’s a pity Freda Long’s out of it.”

“What happened to Freda?”

“Got toothache.  Can’t you see her sitting up there in the gallery, holding her cheek?  She’s looking at you!”

“Poor old Freda!  Beastly hard luck!” murmured Winona, waving a sympathetic greeting to her friend.