What metaphors are used in The Professor's House by Willa Cather?

In Book III, St. Peter's thought that he was going to die reveals that he does not know what the future will hold for him. He is unable to see his future, and now that his life's work is over, he doesn't know what he is supposed to do with his life. At the same time, St. Peter is not being metaphorical about his feeling that he is going to die. He really thinks that he will die. Otherwise, he would not have gone to see a doctor.