Чума
Part IV
Exceptforwomen,becausewithlookslikethat…Iexpectthatwhenhefeltinclinedtogowithaprostitute,hedeniedhimself,soasnottoacquireavulgarreputationthatmightharmhimlater.
"Inshort,theplaguesuitshim.Ithasmadeanaccompliceoutofasolitarymanwhodidnotwanttobesolitary.Becauseheisclearlyanaccompliceandanaccomplicewhodelightsinit.Hehasacomplicityineverythinghesees:thesuperstitions,theunjustifiedterrorsandthesusceptibilitiesofthesevigilantsouls.Heisapartytotheirmanneroftryingtotalkabouttheplagueaslittleaspossible,whileneverceasingtospeakofit;totheirpanicandterrorattheleastheadacheoncetheyknowthattheillnessbeginswithcephalgia;totheiroverexcited,touchyandunstablesensibilities,whichcantransformanoversightintoanoffenceandgrieveatthelossofatrouserbutton."
ItoftenhappenedthatTarrouwouldgooutintheeveningwithCottard.Helaterdescribedinhisnotebookshowtheywouldplungeintothedarkcrowdsofduskornight-time,shouldertoshoulder,immersingthemselvesinablackandwhitecrowd,lithereandtherebytheoccasionallamp;andtheywouldaccompanythehumanherdtowardsthewarmpleasuresthatprotecteditagainstthecoldoftheplague.AwholepeoplewasnowindulginginwhatafewmonthsearlierCottardhadbeenlookingforinpublicplaces,inluxuryandanabundantlife,whichhedreamedofwithoutbeingabletosatisfyhisneed,thatistosayunbridledpleasure.
