Чума
Part II
Butasuddenandprolongedseparationhadconvincedthemthattheycouldnotliveapartand,inthelightofthisstartlingrevelation,theplaguewasasmallthing.
Theirswasanexceptionalcase.Inmostcasesitwasclearthatseparationwastoendonlywiththeendoftheepidemic.Andforallofus,thefeelingthatgovernedourlivesandwhich,nonetheless,wethoughtweknewwell—ashasalreadybeensaid,theOranaishavesimplepassions—tookonafreshappearance.Husbandsandloverswhohadthegreatestconfidenceintheirpartnersfoundthemselvesbecomingjealous.Menwhothoughttheywerefrivolousinlovefoundthemselvesloyal.Sons,whohadlivedclosetotheirmothersandbarelylookedatthem,instilledalltheiranxietyandlongingintoalineonherfacethathauntedtheirmemories.Thisabruptseparation,withoutanyhalfwaystateandwithnopredictablefuture,leftusdisconcerted,unabletoreactagainstthememoryofthatpresence,stillsoclose,yetalreadysofaraway,thatnowfilledourdays.Inreality,wesuffereddoubly:fromourownsufferingfirstandthenfromwhatweimaginedtobethatoftheabsentlovedone,whetherson,spouseorlover.
Inothercircumstancesthepeopleofthetownwouldhavefoundanoutletinamoreexternalormoreactivelife.
