Чума
Part II
Hehadneverlefthishometown,exceptonedaywhenhewasobligedtogotoAlgiersonsomefamilybusinessandhadstoppedatthecloseststationtoOran,unabletocarryonwiththeadventure.Hereturnedhomebythefirsttrain.
WhenTarrouexpressedastonishmentatthecloisteredexistenceheled,heexplained,moreorless,thatthefirsthalfofaman’slifewasanascentandtheotherhalfadescent,andthatinthedescentaman’sdaysnolongerbelongedtohim,thattheycouldbetakenawayfromhimatanymoment,thatconsequentlytherewasnothinghecoulddoandthatthebestthingwasinfacttodonothing.Besidethat,hewasnotafraidofcontradiction,becausehetoldTarroushortlyafterthisthatGodcertainlydidnotexistsince,ifhedid,therewouldbenoneedforpriests.But,fromafewremarksthatfollowed,Tarrourealizedthatthisphilosophywascloselyconnectedwithhisirritationatthefrequentcollectionsofmoneyinhisparish.Andthethingthatcompletedtheoldman’sportraitwasadesire,apparentlyprofoundandseveraltimesrepeatedinfrontofTarrou:hehopedtolivetoagreatage.
"Isheasaint?"Tarrouaskedhimself;andheanswered:"Yes,ifsanctityisasetofhabits."
Atthesametime,Tarroubeganquiteaminutedescriptionofonedayintheplague-riddentown,sogivinganaccurateideaofhowourfellow-citizenslivedandspenttheirtimeduringthatsummer:"Noonelaughsexceptdrunks,"Tarrouwrote,"andtheylaughtoomuch.
