Чума
Part II
"
"Andyetyouthink,asPanelouxdoes,thattheplaguehasitsbenefitsbecauseitopenspeople’seyesandforcesthemtothink."
Thedoctorshookhisheadimpatiently.
"Likeeverysicknessinthisworld.Butwhatistrueoftheillsofthisworldisalsotrueoftheplague.Itmayservetomakesomepeoplegreat.However,whenyouseethesufferingandpainthatitbrings,youhavetobemad,blindoracowardtoresignyourselftotheplague."
Rieuxhadbarelyraisedhisvoice,butTarrouwavedhishandasthoughtocalmhim.Hesmiled.
"Yes,"Rieuxsaid,shrugginghisshoulders."Butyoustillhaven’tansweredme.Haveyouthoughtaboutit?"
Tarrousatbackalittlefurtherinhischairandleantforwardsothathisheadwasinthelight.
"DoyoubelieveinGod,doctor?"
Onceagain,thequestionwasaskedquitenaturally,butthistimeRieuxhesitated.
"No,butwhatdoesthatmean?Iamindarkness,tryingtoseethelight.Istoppedalongtimeagothinkingtherewasanythingunusualinthat."
"Isn’tthatthethingthatmakesyoudifferentfromPaneloux?"
"Idon’tthinkso.Panelouxisascholar.Hehasnotseenenoughpeopledieandthatiswhyhespeaksinthenameofeternaltruths.ButtheleastlittlecountrypriestwhoadministerstohisparishionersandwhohasheardthebreathofadyingmanthinksasIdo.
