Чума

           Fromthedepthsofhisreturningexhaustion,herepliedmoregently:

           "WhichIdon’thave,Iknow.ButIdon’twanttodiscussthiswithyou.Weareworkingtogetherforsomethingthatunitesusatahigherlevelthanprayerorblasphemy,andthat’sallthatcounts."

           PanelouxsatdownbesideRieux.Heseemedmoved.

           "Yes,"hesaid."Yes,youtooareworkingforthesalvationofmankind."

           Rieuxtriedtosmile.

           "Salvationistoobigawordforme.Idon’tgothatfar.Whatinterestsmeisman’shealth,hishealthfirstofall."

           Panelouxhesitated.

           "Doctor…,"hesaid.

           Thenhestopped.Thesweatwasalsostartingtorundownhisforehead.Hemuttered"goodbye",andhiseyesshoneashegotup.HewasabouttoleavewhenRieux,whohadbeenthinking,alsogotupandtookasteptowardshim.

           "Forgivemeagain,"hesaid."Thatoutburstwillnotberepeated."

           Panelouxheldouthishandandsaidsadly:

           "YetIhavenotmanagedtoconvinceyou!"

           "Whatdoesitmatter?"Rieuxasked."WhatIhateisdeathandevil,asyouknow.Andwhetheryouacceptthisornot,wearetogetherinenduringthemandfightingagainstthem."

           RieuxtookPaneloux’shand.

           "Yousee,"hesaid,deliberatelynotmeetinghiseye,"evenGodhimselfcannotseparateusnow.