Чума
Part IV
JustasTarrouhadtoleavehishoteltostaywithRieux,sothepriesthadtoleavetheapartmentinwhichhisorderhadplacedhimtotakeuplodgingswithanoldwoman,aregularchurch-goerandsofarimmunetotheplague.Duringthemoveitselfthepriestfelthisanxietyandexhaustiongrow.Andthiswashowhelosttherespectofhislandlady.OnedaywhenshewaswarmlyextollingthemeritsofthepropheciesofSaintOdile,thepriestmadeaveryslightgestureofimpatience,nodoubtduetohistiredness.Fromthenon,whateverefforthemadetowintheoldladyaroundtoatleastafriendlyneutralitywasunsuccessful.Hehadmadeabadimpression.Andeveryevening,beforegoinguptohisroom,whichwasfilledwithyardsoflacework,hehadtolookatherback,seatedinherdrawing-room,andtotakeawaythememoryofthe"goodevening,father"thatsheaddressedtohiminadryvoice,withoutturninground.Itwasonsuchanevening,ashewasgoinguptobed,hisheadaching,thathefeltthetideoffeverwhichhadbeenbrewingforseveraldaysbreakoutathiswristsandhistemples.
Whatfollowedwasafterwardsknownonlythroughtheaccountofhislandlady.Inthemorningshegotupearly,asusual.Afterawhile,surprisedatnotseeingthepriestcomeoutofhisroom,shedecided,aftermuchhesitation,toknockonhisdoor.Shefoundhimstillinbedafterasleeplessnight.Hewashavingdifficultybreathingandseemedmoreflushedthanusual.
