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

[Mike Jing]

Oh, I get it now: "inside of half a minute."  Thanks a lot.

On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM,  <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:
> "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?
>