what does that mean?

[insaneneko]

What does the "Well, I don't know what I wouldn't too" mean in the exchange below? I can't make heads or tails of it...

Tell you what, Sherry: if I had a wife, which I'm deuced glad I haven't, I'd rather have one like your Kitten than all the Incomparables put together.'

'You would?' said Sherry, staring at him.

'I would,' said Mr Ringwood firmly.

'Well, I don't know but what I wouldn't too,' said Sherry...

from Friday's Child

Comments

[ah-chan.livejournal.com]

XD It's supposed to make you goggle, or laugh at his idiocy - I recall Mr. Ringwood's reaction at Sherry is much the same. Basically, Sherry's consciousness of Hero as his wife is so low, that he's still thinking of their relationship in the hypothetical - yeah, maybe he would like her better as a wife than Isabella. (Of course he does ^^;.)

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks! It's been bothering me forever.

[wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com]

I think the modern English equivalent would be "I guess so..."

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification!

[sara-tanaquil.livejournal.com]

It's British idiom. As weds_10_00 says, it means "I guess I would too." (The two negatives cancel out.)

I'm enjoying all the Heyer posts!

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the confirmation!