def _patch_dict(self):
        values = self.values
        in_dict = self.in_dict
        clear = self.clear

        try:
            original = in_dict.copy()
        except AttributeError:
            # dict like object with no copy method
            # must support iteration over keys
            original = {}
            for key in in_dict:
                original[key] = in_dict[key]
        self._original = original

        if clear:
            _clear_dict(in_dict)

        try:
            in_dict.update(values)
        except AttributeError:
            # dict like object with no update method
            for key in values:
                in_dict[key] = values[key]