so it must be reckoned with in the formation of character. Still it
lacks the positive element. It is limited.

It becomes the work of those interested in the welfare of the girl to
cause the awakening and constant stimulation of those thoughts which
shall lead to action along right lines. The repeated impression upon the
mind of deeds of heroism, of unselfish daily living, of great action on
the part of ordinary people in a common-place environment has an
unmistakable effect upon the forming character.

But if the thoughts engendered by the deeds of heroism and achievement
be called into action by the opportunity in the girl's life to reproduce
them, then the effect upon the character is made definite and intense.
It is not until the girl has done a kindred thing, until the impression
has found its way out in action, that the full result upon the forming
character is seen. All the complex life about her is busy through the
eye and ear, through numberless sensations and instinctive reactions
leaving impressions. Their imprint upon her life may be seen by any
close observer when the girl herself is unconscious of it. But it is the
special set of impressions which _habitually_ find _expression_ that
determine character.

This is most encouraging, for it means that if the girl can be lead to
express the right impression and leave the others to fade away into the
recesses of consciousness where it will be hard to awaken them, the
determination of her character will be a possible task. It means that in
the years of habit formation and character making those who share the
task of the girl's training have the opportunity to lead her to
repeatedly express in positive action the high ideal, the noble
self-sacrifice, the great deed or ambition, the generous impulse