Чума
Part I
"That’sgoodforthetubes."
Itwasindeedbaking,butneithermorenorlessthanafever.Thewholetownhadahightemperature:that,atleast,wasthefeelingthathauntedDrRieuxonthemorningwhenhewenttotheRueFaidherbetotakepartintheenquiryintoCottard’sattemptedsuicide.Buthethoughtthisfeelingwasunreasonable.Heattributedittoirritationandtoallthethingshehadonhismind,decidingthathemustquicklytrytosortouthishead.
Whenhearrivedthecommissionerwasnotyetthere.Grandwaswaitingforhimonthelandingandtheydecidedfirstofalltogointohisplaceandleavethedooropen.Thetownofficiallivedinatwo-roomflat,verysparselyfurnished.Allonecouldseewasawhitewoodenshelfwithtwoorthreedictionariesonitandablackboardonwhichonecouldstillreadthehalf-effacedinscription"pathsofflowers".AccordingtoGrand,Cottardhadhadagoodnight.Butthatmorning,hehadwokenupwithaheadache,unabletodoanything.Grandhimselfseemedtiredandnervous,pacingupanddown,openingandclosingalargefolderonthetable,fullofhandwrittenpages.
Meanwhile,hewastellingthedoctorthatheknewCottardverylittle,butthatheimaginedhemusthavesomesmallpersonalincome.Cottardwasanoddperson.Foralongtimetheyhadsaidnothingtooneanotherapartfromagreetingonthestairs.
"I’veonlyhadtwoconversationswithhim.
