Чума
Part V
"Afterall,thingsmayworkoutforyoutoo.Inasense,it’sanewlifestarting."
Theywereshakinghandsatthedoor.
"You’reright,"saidCottard,growingincreasinglyagitated."Startagainfromnothing,thatwouldbegood."
Buttwomenhadsprungupfromtheshadowsinthecorridor.Tarrouhardlyhadtimetohearhiscolleagueaskwhatthesecustomerscouldpossiblywant;andthecustomers,wholookedlikecivilservantsinSundaybest,wereaskingCottardtoconfirmthathewasCottard,when,givingasortofmuffledcry,heswungroundandwasgoneintothenightbeforethetwomenorTarrouhadtimetomakeasinglemovement.Tarrouaskedthetwomenwhattheywanted.Theyassumedanairofpolitereserve,sayingonlythatitwasamatterofinformation,thenleft,atadeliberatepace,inthedirectionthatCottardhadtaken.
BackhomeTarroudescribedthisscene,andimmediatelyafterwards(thehandwritingbearswitness)notedthathewastired.Headdedthathestillhadalottodo,butthatthiswasnotareasonfornotkeepinginreadiness,andaskedhimselfifhewas,infact,ready.Finally—orthisiswhereTarrou’snotebooksend—herepliedthattherewasalwaysanhourofthedayornightwhenamanwasacowardandthathewasafraidofnothingbutthatmoment.
