I seemed to be overwhelmed with misfortunes, but the greatest of all was yet to come.

I have hinted that Yamba was beginning to show signs of infirmity through advancing years.

I could not help noticing, with a vague feeling of helpless horror and sickening foreboding, that she had lost her high spirits and keen perception--to say nothing about the elasticity of her tread and her wonderful physical endurance generally.

She was no longer able to accompany me on the long and interesting tramps which we had now taken together for so many years.
Her skin began to wither and wrinkle, and she gradually took on the appearance of a very old woman.

The result of this was I began to have fits of frightful depression and acute misery.