Part V

           Althoughthissuddendeclineinthediseasewasunexpected,thetownspeoplewereinnohurrytocelebrate.Theprecedingmonths,thoughtheyhadincreasedthedesireforliberation,hadalsotaughtthemprudenceandaccustomedthemtocountlessandlessonarapidendtotheepidemic.However,thisnewdevelopmentwasthesubjectofeveryconversationand,inthedepthsofpeople’shearts,therewasagreat,unadmittedhope.Allelsewassecondary.Thenewvictimsoftheplaguecountedforlittlebesidethisoutstandingfact:thefiguresweregoingdown.Oneofthesignsthatareturntoatimeofgoodhealthwassecretlyexpected(thoughnooneadmittedthefact)wasthatfromthismomentonpeoplereadilyspoke,withapparentindifference,abouthowlifewouldbereorganizedaftertheplague.

           Everyoneagreedthattheamenitiesofformertimeswouldnotberestoredovernightandthatitwaseasiertodestroythantorebuild.Theyconsideredmerelythatfoodsuppliesmightbesomewhatimprovedandthatinthiswaypeoplewouldberelievedoftheirmostimmediateworry.Butinreality,behindtheseharmlessremarks,awildhopewasalsoraging,tosuchanextentthatthetownspeoplewouldsometimesbecomeawareofitandthenhastenedtostatethatinanyeventdeliverancewouldnotbecominginafewdays.

           And,intruth,theplaguedidnotendinafewdays,butitdidappeartobeweakeningfasterthanonecouldreasonablyhope.