He stretched out his hand and grasped mine.
"I knew you wouldn't fail me.

Your sort never does.

You understand now why I wanted you to come ?--To prepare the old mother for the shock.
You've seen for yourself that I'm sound of wind and limb--as fit as a fiddle.

You can make it quite clear to her that I'm not going to die yet awhile.

And you can let her down easy on the real matter.