Чума
Part V
Hewasshouting.Agendarmewentuptohimandhithimtwice,withhisfist,ashardashecould,deliberatelyandwithakindofdiligentzeal.
"It’sCottard,"Grandstammered."He’sgonemad."
Cottardhadfallenover.Theysawthegendarmelaunchaflyingkickatthemasslyingontheground.Thenaconfused,agitatedgroupbegantomoveandmakeitswaytowardsthedoctorandhisoldfriend.
"Keepmoving!"saidthegendarme.
Rieuxlookedawayasthegrouppassedbesidehim.
Grandandthedoctorleftasnightwasfalling.Asthoughtheeventhadshakentheneighbourhoodoutofitstorpor,sidestreetsbegantofilloncemorewiththehumofcelebratingcrowds.Astheyreachedthehouse,Grandsaidgoodbyetothedoctor.Hewasgoingtowork.ButjustbeforestartingupthestairsheaddedthathehadwrittentoJeanneandthathewashappynow.Hehadstartedhissentenceagain:"I’vecutoutalltheadjectives,"hesaid.
Withaslysmileheraisedhishatinaceremoniousgesture.ButRieuxwasthinkingaboutCottard,andthedullsoundoffiststhuddingintohisfacestayedwithhimashewalkedtowardstheoldasthmatic’shouse.Perhapsitwashardertothinkofaguiltymanthanadeadone.
WhenRieuxreachedhisoldpatient,nighthadalreadyswallowedthewholesky.Fromthebedroomyoucouldhearthedistantsoundsoffreedomandtheoldmanwentonsortinghischick-peaswithequanimity.
