VV(5) Porpentine--embarassed, bashful

[jill]

Why is it that twice (or maybe more) we hear Porpentine described in a way
that he seems to be pulling back, in retreat? Is this a kind of crablike
walking that Pynchon is fond of?

Once p. 65 when Mildred thrusts the rock out toward Porpentine and
Goodfellow and Victoria says that she loves rocks and fossils. He retreats,
embarrassed. Could he be feeling humour from a joke that she is playing,
that the listener is to associate the age difference between Victoria and
the men surrounding her at this time? Why embarrassment?

Once when on the train p.79 when B-S is being mean to Mildred, Porpentine
tells B-S to quit. B-S says "Why Porpentine." Vicious "Why. For her?
Touched by her fright, are you. Or is it for yourself." 
 Porpentine seemed to retreat bashfully. "One doesn't frighten a child,
sir." 

-jill

-jill