Чума
Part II
Hewouldtreatsuffering,nottrytodemonstratewhatafinethingitis."
Rieuxgotup;hisfacewasnowinshadow.
"Let’sleavethematter,"hesaid,"sinceyoudon’twishtoreply."
Tarrousmiled,notmovingfromhischair.
"CanIansweryouwithaquestion?"
Thedoctorsmiledinhisturn.
"Youlikemystery,"hesaid."Carryon."
"Wellthen,"saidTarrou."Whyareyouyourselfsodedicatedwhenyoudon’tbelieveinGod?Perhapsyouranswerwillhelpmeinmyown."
Withoutemergingfromtheshadows,thedoctorsaidthathehadalreadyansweredthat:ifhebelievedinanall-powerfulGod,thenhewouldstophealingpeopleandleaveituptoHim.ButsincenooneintheworldbelievedinaGodofthatkind—notevenPanelouxwhothoughtthatwaswhathebelieved—becausenooneabandonedhimselfentirelytoHim,inthisatleastRieuxfelthewasontherightpath,instrugglingagainsttheworldasitwas.
"Ah!"saidTarrou."Sothat’syourideaofyourjob?"
"Moreorless,"thedoctorsaidcomingbackintothelight.
Tarrouwhistledsoftlyandthedoctorlookedathim.
"Oh,yes,"hesaid."You’retellingyourselfthatittakessomepride.But,believeme,Ihaveonlythepridethatittakes.Idon’tknowwhatawaitsmeorwhatwillcomeafterallthis.Forthetimebeing,therearepatientswhohavetobecured.
