Чума
Part V
"They’rerighttoenjoythemselves,"hesaid."Ittakesallsorts.Andwhat’shappenedtoyourcolleague,doctor?"
Theycouldhearexplosions,butharmlessones,childrenlettingofffirecrackers.
"He’sdead,"saidthedoctor,listeningtothegrumblingchest.
"Oh!"saidtheoldman,somewhatlostforwords.
"Hediedoftheplague,"Rieuxadded.
"Yes,"theoldmanagreedafterapause."Thebestgo.That’slife.Buthewasamanwhoknewwhathewanted."
"Whatmakesyousaythat?"askedthedoctor,puttingawayhisstethoscope.
"Noreason.Hedidn’ttalkjustforthesakeofit.Ilikedhim.Butthat’showitis.Otherpeoplesay:"It’stheplague,we’vehadtheplague."Nextthing,they’llbewantingamedal.Butwhatdoesitmean,theplague?It’slife,that’sall."
"Makesureyouhaveyourinhalationsregularly."
"Oh,don’tworry!I’vegotalongtimeyet,I’llseethelotofthemoutyet.Iknowhowtolive,Ido."
Yellsofjoyrepliedtohimfromafar.Thedoctorpausedinthemiddleoftheroom.
"WouldyoumindifIwentoutontheroofterrace?"
"Notatall.Doyouwanttoseethemfromupthere?You’rewelcome.Butthey’realwaysthesame."
Rieuxwenttowardsthestairs.
