GR translation: he could be lost inside of half a minute

[kelber at mindspring.com]

"He could become lost inside of half a minute" is just a colloquial way of saying he could quickly become lost.

LK


-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 7, 2012 2:50 AM
>To: Pynchon Mailing List <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>Subject: GR translation: he could be lost inside of half a minute
>
>P197.21-34   “Oh, you think I’m more than I am,” gliding to a couch,
>tucking one leg under.
>“I know. You’re only a Dutch milkmaid or something. Closet full o’
>those starched aprons a-and wooden shoes, right?”
>“Go and look.” Spice odors from the candle reach like nerves through the room.
>“O.K., I will!” He opens her closet, and in moonlight reflected from
>the mirror finds a crowded maze of satins, taffetas, lawn, and pongee,
>dark fur collars and trimming, buttons, sashes, passementerie, soft,
>confusing, womanly tunnel systems that must stretch back for miles—he
>could be lost inside of half a minute . . . lace glimmers, eyelets
>wink, a crepe scarf brushes his face . . . Aha! wait a minute, the
>operational scent in here is carbon tet, Jackson, and this wardrobe
>here’s mostly props. “Well. Pretty snazzy.”
>
>What does "he could be lost inside of half a minute" mean?