Чума
Part II
ButIknowthatshesaysthattostopmeworrying."
Thedoorbellrang.Thedoctorsmiledathismotherandwenttoopenit.Inthehalf-lightonthelanding,Tarroulookedlikeagreatbeardressedingrey.Rieuxtoldthevisitortositdowninfrontofhisdeskwhileheremainedstandingbehindhischair.Theywereseparatedbytheonlylampthatwaslitintheroom,theoneonthedesk.
"IknowthatIcantalkquiteopenlywithyou,"Tarrousaidwithoutanypreamble.
Rieuxnodded.
"Inafortnightoramonthyouwillnotbeofanyusehere,youwillbeunabletocope."
"That’strue,"saidRieux.
"Thehealthserviceisbadlyorganized.Youdon’thaveenoughstaffortime."
Onceagain,Rieuxagreedthatitwastrue.
"IamtoldthatthePrefectureisthinkingaboutasortofcommunityserviceunderwhichfitmenwillbeobligedtotakepartingeneralrescuework."
"You’reverywellinformed;butthereisalreadyalotofpublicdissatisfactionandthePrefectisnotsurewhethertogoahead."
"Whynotaskforvolunteers?"
"Wedid,butnotmanycameforward."
"Itwasdonethroughofficialchannels,ratherhalf-heartedly.Whattheyneedisimagination.Theyneverrisetothechallengeofadisaster.Andthecuresthattheydreamupwouldhardlycopewithaheadcold.
