Apparently, Scarlett's vigil tied to the flagpole of the college quad all night had been in vain. The girls were getting failing grades, and so obviously it was the sacrifices' fault. There was nothing for it but to hold another sacrifice ceremony!

Tradition demanded yet a different tie, and the girls thought maybe Scarlett should endure it for 24 hours instead of just the night. So they tied her on the floor of the junior common room to start with, ready to take her out and prop her up next to the flagpole in the quad when dusk fell, there to wait until dawn...