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From Byron's Don Juan:
Here Lolah interposed -- "Mamma, you know
You don't sleep soundly, and I cannot bear
That anybody should disturb you so;
I'll take Juanna; we're a slenderer pair
Than you would make the half of; -- don't say no;
And I of your young charge will take due care."
But here Katinka interfered, and said,
"She also had compassion and a bed.
What is the meaning of we're a slenderer pair than you would make the half of?
When we lie together, we take up less than 50% of your width?
Given the context, I would say that Lolah is suggesting that she share her bed with Juanna, rather than her mother, since Lolah and Juanna together would take up less room than Lolah and her mother. Whether this is really for Lolah's benefit, rather than her mother's, is open to interpretation.
So, you are correct (I think), although it may be an exaggeration.
