Leonora became the obedient and devoted follower of the new girl friend
and the influence of the music teacher was indeed remarkable. Almost as
by magic Leonora dropped the coarse slang, loud talking and shouting of
her companions, who in the city had been termed "wild" and adopted the
ways of the new leader. At the end of two years it would have been quite
impossible to recognize in the pretty, interesting, well-mannered girl
of sixteen, who sang so sweetly, the uncultured, ill-mannered, slangy
girl of fourteen.

Leonora was so easily led that it was not a difficult task or a great
accomplishment to have so transformed her. If she remains until she is
eighteen or twenty in her present environment, the chances are that the
good friend, _Habit_, will have determined the way that she shall go. If
she should now drop back into the old street, the old companionship, the
place which until her father's death he had tried with her help to make
a home, the chances are the old voice and manner, the old slang and old
interests would return.

For a girl of Leonora's type the impress of the right environment, the
guidance of the right hand, means everything. To discover such girls,
to open the way for the working of new friendships, which shall furnish
new leadership for them, is a fine task and a great pleasure for the
lovers of girlhood.

But so impossible is the task of attempting, through the individual, to
touch the great mass of girls who are easily led, that one can work
effectually only through the individual effort plus the _law_. It must
be made "to go hard" with those who, for selfish ends and financial
profit, plan to take advantage of the weak will and trusting,