His only malady appeared to consist in that last and general prostration of bodily and intellectual strength, by which persons of extreme old age, who have enjoyed uninterrupted health, are affected at, or immediately preceding their dissolution.

His mind, however, though wandering and unsteady, was vigorous in such manifestations as it made.

For instance, it seemed to be impressed by a twofold influence,--the memory of his early life,--mingled with a vague perception of present anxiety, the cause of which he occasionally was able to remember, but as often tried to recollect in vain.
On the second day after his discovery he was unable to rise at all; but, as before, he complained of nothing, neither were his spirits depressed.
On the contrary they were rather agitated--sometimes into cheerfulness, but more frequently into an expression of sorrow and lamentation, which were, however, blended with old by-gone memories that were peculiarly reflecting to those who heard them.

In this way he went on, sinking gradually until the day previous to the auction.

On that morning, to their surprise, he appeared to have absolutely regained new strength, and to have been gifted with something like renovated power of speech.
"I want to get up," said he, "and it's only Tom an' Dora that I'll allow to help me.