Чума
Part IV
Theyoungdeacon,hisheadbenttoprotecthimselfagainstthewind,insistedthathesawalotofFatherPaneloux,thatheknewaboutthedevelopmentofhisthoughtandthathistreatisewouldbemuchmoredaring;itwouldcertainlynothavetheofficialimprimatur.
"Sowhatishisidea?"theoldpriestasked.
Theyhadreachedthespaceinfrontofthechurchandthewindwashowlingaroundthem,makingithardfortheyoungermantospeak.Whenhecoulddoso,hesaidmerely:
"Ifapriestconsultsadoctor,thereisacontradiction."
WhenRieuxtoldhimwhatPanelouxhadsaid,Tarrouremarkedthatheknewapriestwhohadlosthisfaithduringthewarwhenhesawthefaceofayoungmanwithhiseyestornout.
"Panelouxisright,"saidTarrou."Wheninnocencehasitseyesgougedout,aChristianmustlosehisfaithoracceptthegougingoutofeyes.Panelouxdoesnotwanttolosehisfaith,hewillstickwithittotheveryend.That’swhathemeant."
DoesthisremarkofTarrou’shelpalittletoexplaintheunfortunateeventsthatfollowed,inwhichPaneloux’sbehaviourseemedincomprehensibletothosearoundhim?Onemustjudgeforoneself.
Indeed,afewdaysafterthesermon,Panelouxdecidedtomovehouse.Thiswasatimewhentheprogressoftheillnesswasthecauseofconstantremovalsinthetown.
