Чума
Part IV
Inthehalf-lightofthehousewithitsclosedshutters,theirtorsoslookedbrownandshiny.Rambertwalkedaboutthehousewithoutspeaking.Suddenly,atfouro’clockintheafternoon,hegotdressedandsaidhewasgoingout.
"Watchout,"saidMarcel."It’sformidnight.Everything’ssetup."
RambertwenttoseeDrRieux.Thedoctor’smothertoldhimthathecouldbefoundinthehospitalintheuppertown.Aroundtheguardpost,thesamecrowdwasconstantlygoingroundandround."Moveon!"saidagendarmewithprotrudingeyes.Thecrowddidmoveon,butincircles."There’snothingtosee,"saidthegendarme,thesweatsoakingthroughhisjacket.Everyoneagreed,buttheystayedevenso,despitethelethalheat.RambertshowedthegendarmehispassandthemanpointedhimtoTarrou’soffice.Itsdooropenedonthecourtyard.HemetFatherPanelouxcomingoutoftheoffice.
Inadirtylittlewhiteroom,smellingofdisinfectantanddampsheets,Tarrouwassittingbehindablackwoodendeskwithhisshirtsleevesrolledup,dabbingthesweatinthecrookofhisarmwithahandkerchief.
"Stillhere?"heasked.
"Yes,I’dliketotalktoRieux."
"He’sontheward.Butitwouldbebetterifwecouldfixitwithouthim."
"Why?"
"He’soverworked.I’msparinghimasmuchasIcan."
RambertlookedatTarrou.Hehadlostweight,andhiseyesandfeatureswereblurredwithfatigue.
