Чума
Part IV
Justbeforetheygottoadoubleglassdoor,behindwhichonecouldseestrangeshadowsmoving,TarroumadeRambertgointoaverysmallroomwithcupboardsallroundthewalls.Heopenedoneandtooktwogauzemasksoutofasterilizer,offeredonetoRambertandaskedhimtoputiton.ThejournalistaskedifitservedanypurposeandTarrousaidno,butthatitinspiredconfidenceinothers.
Theypushedopentheglassdoors.Thewardwasahugeroomwithitswindowshermeticallysealed,despitetheweather.Highuponthewallstherewerehummingmachineswhichkepttheairmoving,theirtwistedpropellersfanningtheclotted,overheatedairabovetworowsofgreybeds.Fromallsidesrosedullmoansorsharpcriesthatmergedintoasingle,monotonouswail.Mendressedinwhitewereslowlywalkingaroundinthecruellightthatcamefromthehighbarredwindows.RambertfeltuncomfortableintheghastlyheatoftheroomandhaddifficultyrecognizingRieuxstandingoveragroaningfigure.Thedoctorwasmakingincisionsinthepatient’sgroinwhiletwowomennursesoneachsideofthebedkepthislegsapart.WhenRieuxgotup,hedroppedhisimplementsontothetraywhichanassistantwasholdingandstayedmotionless,lookingatthemanwhosewoundswerebeingdressed.
"What’snew?"heaskedTarrouashecameup.
"PanelouxhasagreedtoreplaceRambertinthequarantineward.Hehasdonealotalready.WestillhavetoreorganizethethirdexploratorygroupwithoutRambert."
Rieuxnodded.
