The contestants were divided into three classes—freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The seniors did not compete in these boat races, though they watched their under classmen with a great deal of interest.
Jo and Sadie were, of course, in the freshmen division, and as the day of the great test approached they became more and more determined to carry off the honors in their class.
On the afternoon before the day of the race Nan brought news.
"I overheard Lottie and Kate talking about to-morrow," she said. "Who do you think are going to enter the race—representing that crowd?"
"Who?" they asked together.
"Carol Haynes and Ruth Davis. They are the new girls that Kate and Lottie have won over to their side."
"That's so Kate can crow if Ruth and Carol win the race," Jo said, frowning.
"Sure!" chuckled Nan. "Kate can't win from me on the tennis courts, so she's getting some of her friends to beat you girls on the water."
"Well, it's up to us," said Jo, jamming her hands savagely into the pockets of her sport skirt, "to disappoint them!"
The morning of the great day dawned fair and rather cold.