Чума
Part IV
"Ihavetogo,"saidRieux."Ican’tstandthisanymore."
Butabruptlytheotherpatientsfellsilentandthedoctorrealizedthatthechild’scryhadweakened,thatitwasstillweakeningandthatithadjuststopped.Aroundhimthemoansresumed,butsmothered,likeadistantechoofthestrugglethathadjustended.Forendedithad.Castelwentroundtotheothersideofthebedandsaidthatitwasallover.Hismouthopen,butsilent,thechildwasrestingamongtherumpledblanket,suddenlygrownsmaller,withtracesoftearsonhisface.
Panelouxwentuptothebedandmadethesignofbenediction.Thenhegathereduphisrobesandwentoutdownthecentralaisle.
"Mustwestartalloveragain?"TarrouaskedCastel.
Theolddoctorshookhishead.
"Perhaps,"hesaid,withastrainedsmile."Afterall,hedidfightitforalongtime."
ButRieuxwasalreadygoingoutoftheward,walkingsoquicklyandwithsuchalookonhisfacethatwhenheovertookPaneloux,thepriestheldouthisarmtorestrainhim.
"Comenow,doctor,"hesaid.
Withoutstoppingashesweptalong,Rieuxturnedroundandspatout:
"Ah,nowthatone,atleast,wasinnocent,asyouverywellknow!"
Thenheturnedawayand,goingthroughthedoorsofthewardinfrontofPaneloux,crossedtothebackoftheschoolcourtyard.
