"If matters had progressed rapidly before they went like lightning then. It was as if he had touched a spring or pressed a button setting vast machinery in motion. Even as he reeled back stunned at his audacity the room became suddenly full of Coppins of every variety known to science. Through a mist he was aware of Mrs. Coppin crying in a corner of Mr. Coppin drinking his health in the remains of sparkling limado of Brothers Frank and Percy one on each side trying to borrow simultaneously half-crowns and of Muriel flushed but demure making bread-pellets and throwing them in an abstracted way one by one at the Coppin cat which had wandered in on the chance of fish."