Чума
Part IV
Hewouldthrowoffhisbedclothes,thenpullthembackoverhim,constantlypassinghishandacrosshisforeheadandoftensittingupinanattempttocough,withastifled,hoarse,dampcough,asthoughtearingsomethingoutofhimself.Itwasasthoughhecouldnotbringupsomepiecesofcottonwoolfromthebackofhisthroatthatwerechokinghim.Afterthesecriseshewouldslumpbackwitheveryappearanceofexhaustion.Intheend,hewouldagainsithalf-uprightand,forabriefmoment,lookdirectlyaheadwithaconcentrationthatwasmorepassionatethanalltheturmoilthathadgonebefore.Buttheoldladywasstilluncertainwhethertocalladoctorandgoagainstherpatient’swishes.Thismightbeasimplehightemperature,spectacularthoughitmaybe.
However,thatafternoonshetriedtospeaktothepriest,whorepliedwithonlyafewconfusedwords.Shemadethesuggestiononcemore.Thenthepriestsatuprightand,half-suffocating,repliedinaclearvoicethathedidnotwantadoctor.Atthisthelandladydecidedthatshewouldwaituntilthenextmorningand,ifthefather’sconditionhadnotimproved,shewouldtelephonethenumberthattheInfodocagencyrepeatedadozentimesadayontheradio.Stillattentivetoherduties,shethoughtshewouldvisithertenantinthenightandkeepwatchoverhim.Butthatevening,aftershehadgivenhimsomefreshherbtea,shefeltlikelyingdownforawhileanddidnotwakeupuntiltheearlyhoursofthenextdayin.Sheranuptotheroom.
