It occurred to him that she had spent these last few years entirely among men, seeing no women apart from a few like Louisa Wogan; she spoke rather as men, and somewhat raffish, moneyed, loose-living men, speak when they are alone together. 'She has forgotten the distinction between what can and what cannot be said,' he reflected. 'A few more years of this company, and she would not scruple to fart.
The character reflects on how a woman has spent her recent years in the company of men, noting that her way of speaking and mannerisms have become influenced by them. She is surrounded primarily by male figures, which has shaped her behavior and speech patterns to be more aligned with the rough, indulgent dialogue typical among men. Her interactions seem to have led her to lose the social refinements she might have held prior.
The man ponders the implications of her environment, realizing that continuous exposure to such company could erode her understanding of social boundaries. He implies that with more time, her sense of decorum might fade further, leading her to express herself in increasingly uninhibited ways. This highlights the impact social circles can have on an individual's behavior and identity, especially in terms of gender dynamics.
