Like Salem House, Doctor Strong's school illustrates the effect that environment has on children's development. In this case, however, the effect is a positive one: the school is so well-run and respected that the students consider it a duty to maintain its atmosphere and reputation. As a result, they not only learn more but also learn to exercise personal responsibility. Doctor Strong's kindness does have its downsides, however, as it allows others to take advantage of him. Although Annie was not actually motivated by greed when she married her husband, the Doctor's naiveté means that she easily could have been. This shadow on Annie's reputation leads Mr. Wickfield to disapprove of Annie and Agnes's friendship—the implication being that Annie might infect Agnes with either her supposed self-interestedness or her supposed sexual looseness.