Чума
Part V
Againstallevidencetheycalmlydeniedthatwehadeverknownthissenselessworldinwhichthemurderofamanwasahappeningasbanalasthedeathofafly,thewell-definedsavagery,thecalculateddeliriumandtheimprisonmentthatbroughtwithitaterriblefreedomfromeverythingthatwasnottheimmediatepresent,thestenchofdeaththatstunnedallthosewhomitdidnotkill.Inshort,theydeniedthatwehadbeenthatbenumbedpeopleofwhomsome,everyday,stuffedintothemouthofanoven,hadevaporatedinoilysmoke,whiletherest,weigheddownbythechainsofimpotenceandfear,hadwaitedtheirturn.
ThisatleastiswhatstruckDrRieuxwho,makinghiswaytotheoutskirtsoftown,wasjourneyingaloneinthemidstofringingbells,firingcannon,musicanddeafeningshouts.Hisworkwenton:thereisnoholidayforthesick.InthelovelysoftlightthatbathedOran,youcouldsmelltheoldsmellsofgrilledmeatandaniseed-flavouredaperitifs.Aroundhimlaughingfaceswereraisedtowardsthesky.Menandwomenclungtooneanother,theirfaceslitupwithexcitementandacryofdesire.Yes,theplaguewasoverandsowastheterror;thesearmsenlacedinoneanothersaidthatithadbeenexileandseparation,inthedeepestsenseoftheword.
ForthefirsttimeRieuxcouldgiveanametothesimilaritythatformonthshehadseenonthefacesofpeoplepassinginthestreet.Nowitwasenoughtolookaroundhim.
