Чума
Part IV
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Rieuxturnedbrusquelytowardshimandopenedhismouthtosaysomething,thenthoughtbetterofitandlookedbacktowardsthechild,makingavisibleefforttocontrolhimself.
Thelightspreadthroughtheward.Ontheotherfivebedsshapesweretossingandgroaning,butwithwhatappearedtobedeliberateself-restraint.Theonlyonewhowasshouting,attheotherendoftheward,wasmakinglittlecriesatregularintervals,whichseemedtoexpressastonishmentratherthanpain.Nowtherewasakindofassentintheirmannerofapproachingthedisease.Onlythechildwasstrugglingwithallhisstrength.FromtimetotimeRieuxwouldtakehispulse(unnecessarilyandrathertoescapefromthestateofpowerlessinactivityinwhichhefoundhimself);andwhenheclosedhiseyeshecouldfeelthisagitationmingledwiththethrobbinginhisownveins.Atsuchtimeshefelthimselfmergewiththemartyredchildandtriedtosustainhimwithallhisstillundiminishedstrength.Butthebeatingoftheirtwohearts,unitedforaminute,wouldceasetoharmonize;thechildescapedhimandhiseffortsdissolvedintonothingness.Atthis,hewouldputdowntheslenderwristandgobacktohisplace.
Alongthewhitewashedwallsthelightchangedfrompinktoyellow.Behindtheglassahotmorningwasstartingtocrackle.OnecouldhardlyhearGrandasheleftsayingthathewouldcomeback.Theyallwaited.Thechild,hiseyesstillshut,seemedtobeslightlycalmer.
