Чума
Part IV
"Poorjudge,"Tarroumutteredastheywentthroughthegates."Somethingshouldbedoneforhim.Buthowcanonehelpajudge?"
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Therewereseveralothercampsofthesamekindinthetownaboutwhichthenarratorcannotinallhonestysaymore,nothavinganydirectinformationaboutthem.Whathecansayisthattheexistenceofthesecamps,thesmellofhumanbeingsthatarosefromthem,theboomingvoicesoftheloudspeakersinthedusk,themysteryofthewallsandthefearoftheseproscribedplacesweighedheavilyonthemoraleofourfellow-citizens,addingstillfurthertotheconfusionanduneasinessofusall.Incidentsandconflictswiththeadministrationgrewmorefrequent.
However,attheendofNovember,themorningsbecameverycold.Torrentialrainssweptdownthestreets,washingtheskyandleavingitemptyofcloudsabovetheshiningstreets.Everymorningaweaksunspreadasparkling,icylightacrossthetown.Towardsevening,however,theaironceagainbecamewarm.ThiswasthemomentthatTarrouchosetorevealsomethingofhimselftoDrRieux.
Oneday,aroundteno’clock,afteralongandexhaustingday,TarrouaccompaniedRieuxwhowasgoingtomakehiseveningvisittotheoldasthmatic.Theskywasglowinggentlyabovethehousesoftheoldquarter.Alightwindblewsoundlesslypastthedarkcrossroads.Comingoutofthequietstreetsthetwomenfoundthemselvessubjectedtotheoldman’schattering.
