Чума
Part II
Asforme,I’mnotgoinganyfurther."
Rieuxstoodupwithalookofsuddentiredness.
"You’reright,Rambert,quiterightandIwouldn’twanttodivertyoufromwhatyouintendtodoforanythingintheworld,becauseitseemstomegoodandproper.ButIhavetotellyouthis:thiswholethingisnotaboutheroism.It’saboutdecency.Itmayseemaridiculousidea,buttheonlywaytofighttheplagueiswithdecency."
"Whatisdecency?"Rambertasked,suddenlyserious.
"Ingeneral,Ican’tsay,butinmycaseIknowthatitconsistsindoingmyjob."
"Ah!"saidRambert,furiously."Idon’tknowwhatmyjobis.PerhapsIreallyamwrongtochooselove."
Rieuxstoodinfrontofhim.
"No!"hesaidemphatically."Youarenotwrong."
Rambertlookedthoughtfullyatthem.
"Isupposethetwoofyouhavenothingtoloseinallthis.It’seasiertobeontherightside."
Rieuxemptiedhisglass.
"Comeon,"hesaid."We’veworktodo."
Andhewentout.
Tarroufollowed,butseemedtohavesecondthoughtsjustashewasleaving.Heturnedtothejournalistandsaid:
"DoyouknowthatRieux’swifeisinasanatoriumafewhundredmilesfromhere?"
Rambertgaveagestureofsurprise,butTarrouhadalreadyleft
