Чума
Part V
***
Thedayafternext,afewdaysbeforetheopeningofthegates,DrRieuxwascominghomeatlunchtime,wonderingifhewouldfindthetelegramthathewasexpecting.Althoughhisdayswereasexhaustingasattheheightoftheplague,theexpectationofbeingfreeatlasthaddispersedallhisowntiredness.Nowhehadhopeandhewaspleasedthathedid.Onecannotconstantlytightenoneswillandbraceoneself,anditisajoyatlasttoreleasethisbundleofforcesplaitedtogetherforthestruggleandtoletthemflowfree.Iftheexpectedtelegramwasalsofavourable,thenRieuxcouldstartagain.Itfelttohimasthougheveryonewasstartingagain.
Hewentpasttheconcierge’slodge.Thenewconcierge,hisfacepressedtothelittlewindow,smiledathim.Ashewentupthestairs,Rieuxsawhisownface,palewithexhaustionandprivation.
Yes,hewouldstartagainwhentheabstractionwasoverandwithalittleluck…ButhewasopeninghisdoorattheverymomentwhenhismothercametomeethimsayingthatM.Tarrouwasunwell.Hehadgotupthatmorning,buthadbeenunabletogooutsohadreturnedtohisbed.MmeRieuxwasworried.
"Perhapsit’snothingserious,"hersonsaid.
Tarrouwaslyingflatout,hisheavyheadmakingadentinthebolster,hislargechestoutlinedbeneaththethickblankets.Hehadatemperatureandaheadache.HetoldRieuxthatthesewerevaguesymptomsthatcouldeasilybethoseoftheplague.
