Чума
Part IV
Soitwasinacold,silentchurch,inthemidstofacongregationexclusivelymadeupofmen,thatRieuxsatdownandwatchedtheprieststepupintothepulpit.Hespokeinavoicethatwassofterandmorethoughtfulthanonthepreviousoccasion;andseveraltimesthelistenersnoticedasortofhesitationinhisdelivery.Anotherpeculiarthing:henolongersaid"you",but"we".
However,hisvoicegotgraduallystronger.Hebeganbyrecallingthattheplaguehadbeenamongusformanylongmonthsandthatnowweknewitbetterforhavingseenitsomanytimesseatedatourtableoratthebedsideofthoseweloved,walkingbesideusandwaitingforustoarriveatourplaceofwork,sowemightnowhearwhatithadbeenceaselesslytellingus,butwhichithadbeenpossiblethatinourfirstsurprisewedidnothearverywell.WhatFatherPanelouxhadpreachedinthissameplacealreadyremainedtrue—atleast,sohebelieved.Butperhaps—asmighthappentoanyoneofus(andatthishebeathisbreast)—hemayhavethoughtitandsaiditwithoutcharity.However,whatremainedtruewasthatalways,ineverycircumstance,therewassomethingtolearn.ThecruellesttrialwasstillbeneficialfortheChristian.AndpreciselywhattheChristianshouldseek,asaChristian,washisownbenefit,andheexplainedwhatitinvolvedandhowitwastobefound.
Atthatmoment,aroundRieux,peopleseemedtobesettlinginagainstthearm-restsoftheirbenchesandmakingthemselvesascomfortableastheycould.
