Чума
Part IV
Itwashissingsoftlyatthefootofthegreatblocksofthejettyandastheyclimbeduptheseitappeared,thickasvelvet,suppleandsmoothasawildanimal.Theysatdownonsomerocksfacingouttosea.Thewaterwasgentlyswellingandsinkingback.Thiscalmbreathoftheseamadeoilyreflectionsappearanddisappearonthesurfaceofthewater.Infrontofthem,thedarknesswaslimitless.Rieux,whocouldfeelthepittedfaceoftherockunderhisfingers,wasfilledwithastrangehappiness.TurningtowardsTarrouhesensedthesamehappiness,whichforgotnothing,notevenmurder,onthecalmandthoughtfulfaceofhisfriend.
Theygotundressed.Rieuxwasthefirsttodivein.Thewater,coldtobeginwith,seemedwarmtohimwhenheresurfaced.Afterafewstrokesherealizedthattheseawaswarmthateveningwiththewarmthofautumnseaswhentheytakebackfromtheearththeheatthathasbeenstoredinitforlongsummermonths.Heswamsteadily.Behindhimthebeatingofhisfeetleftaseethingfoamandthewaterranthelengthofhisarmstostickonhislegs.AheavysplashtoldhimthatTarrouhaddivedin.Rieuxturnedontohisbackandstayedmotionless,lookingupatthebowlofthesky,fullofmoonandstars.Hetookdeepbreaths.Thenthesoundofsomethingstrikingthewaterbecamemoreandmoredistinct,strangelyclearinthesilenceandlonelinessofthenight.TarrouwasswimmingtowardshimandRieuxcouldsoonhearhisbreathing.
