He did not fail to note that, after he began to make use of information she let drop as to her whereabouts from day to day and her free companionship, he heard less of Gardner Knowles, Lane Cross, and Forbes Gurney, and more of Georgia Timberlake and Ethel Tuckerman.

Why this sudden reticence?
On one occasion she did say of Forbes Gurney "that he was having such a hard time, and that his clothes weren't as nice as they should be, poor dear!" Stephanie herself, owing to gifts made to her by Cowperwood, was resplendent these days.

She took just enough to complete her wardrobe according to her taste.
"Why not send him to me ?" Cowperwood asked.

"I might find something to do for him." He would have been perfectly willing to put him in some position where he could keep track of his time.

However, Mr.Gurney never sought him for a position, and Stephanie ceased to speak of his poverty.