Чума
Part II
Ifweleavethemtotheirowndevices,they’llperishandsowilltherestofus."
"Quitelikely,"saidRieux."ImustsaythoughthattheyalsothoughtaboutusingprisonersforwhatIwouldcalltheheavywork."
"I’dratheritwasdonebyfreemen."
"SowouldI;butwhy,afterall?"
"Ihatethedeathpenalty."
RieuxlookedatTarrou:
"So?"hesaid.
"SoIhaveaplanfororganizingvoluntaryhealthteams.Appointmetotakechargeandwecanleavetheauthoritiesoutofit.Inanycase,theyaretoobusytocope.Ihavefriendsallovertheplace,andtheywillformthecore.And,naturally,Ishalltakepartmyself."
"Ofcourse,"Rieuxsaid,"asyoucanimagine,Iamonlytoohappytoaccept.Oneneedshelp,especiallyinthisjob.IwillberesponsibleforgettingthePrefecturetoaccepttheidea.Inanycase,theyhavenochoice.But…"Rieuxthought."Buttheworkmightbefatal,youknowthat.Istillhavetowarnyou.Haveyoureallythoughtaboutit?"
Tarroulookedathimwithhisgreyeyes.
"WhatdidyouthinkofPaneloux’ssermon,doctor?"
ThequestionwasnaturallyputandRieuxrepliedtoitnaturally.
"I’vespenttoomuchofmylifeinhospitalstoliketheideaofcollectivepunishment.But,youknow,Christianssometimestalkinthatway,withoutreallybelievingit.Theyarebetterthantheyappeartobe.
