Чума
Part IV
"Don’tyoubelieveinGod?"saidtheoldwoman.Sheattendedmasseverymorning.
Rambertadmittedthathedidn’tandshesaidagainthatthiswaswhy.
"Youhavetogetbacktoher,you’reright.Otherwise,what’sleftforyou?"
Therestofthetime,Rambertwalkedroundandroundwithinthenaked,roughcastwalls,strokingthefansnailedtothemorelsecountingthewoollenballsinthefringearoundthetablecloth.Intheeveningthetwoboyscamehome.Theysaidverylittleexcepttotellhimthatitwasnotyettime.AfterdinnerMarcelplayedtheguitaranddrankananiseedliqueur.Rambertseemedtobethinking.
OnWednesdayMarcelcamebacksaying:"It’stomorrowevening,atmidnight.Beready."Oneofthetwomenwhokeptguardwiththemhadcaughttheplague,andtheotherwhousuallysharedabedroomwithhimwasunderobservation.SofortwoorthreedaysMarcelandLouiswouldbealone.Duringthenighttheywouldmakethefinalarrangements.Thenextdayitwouldbepossible."Areyoupleased?"theoldwomanasked.Rambertsaidthathewas,buthewasthinkingofotherthings.
Thefollowingday,theskywasheavy,theairhumidandstifling.Therewasbadnewsoftheplague.However,theoldSpanishwomanremainedcalm:"Thereissinintheworld,"shesaid."Sonaturally…"LikeMarcelandLouis,Rambertwasstrippedtothewaist.Butwheneverhemoved,thesweatranbetweenhisshoulderbladesandacrosshischest.
