Чума
Part IV
Hishands,nowlikeclaws,weregentlyworkingawayatthesidesofthebed.Theyclimbedupwards,scratchedtheblanketnearthekneesandsuddenlyhebenthislegs,broughthisthighsupneartohisbellyandbecamestill.AtthispointheopenedhiseyesforthefirsttimeandlookedatRieuxwhowasstandinginfrontofhim.Inthehollowofhisface,asiffixedingreyclay,themouthopenedandalmostimmediatelyasinglecontinuouscrycameout,hardlyalteredbytheboy’sbreathing,suddenlyfillingtheroomwithamonotonous,discordantprotest,soinhumanthatitseemedtobecomingfromallthemenatonce.RieuxgrittedhisteethandTarrouturnedaway.RambertwentuptothebedbesideCastel,whoclosedthebookwhichhadstayedopenonhisknees.Panelouxlookedatthischild’smouth,soiledbyillness,fullofthatcryofalltheages.Hekneltandeveryoneconsidereditnaturaltohearhimsay,inavoicethatwassomewhatstifledbutdistinct,behindthecontinuing,anonymoushowl:"MyGod,savethischild."
Butthechildwentoncryingand,allaroundhim,theotherpatientswerebecomingrestless.Theoneattheendoftheward,whoseshoutshadnotstopped,steppeduptherhythmofhismoanuntilit,too,becameagenuinecry,whiletheothersgroanedlouderandlouder.Atideofsobsbrokeacrosstheroom,drowningoutPaneloux’sprayerandRieux,claspingthebaratthefootofthebed,closedhiseyes,drunkwithtirednessandhorror.
WhenheopenedthemagainhefoundTarroubesidehim.
