Part 5: Chapter 3 Summary

Although he is still working long days, with the end in sight, Rieux is feeling invigorated and is hopeful that the news from his wife will be good. However, when he arrives at his home, his mother tells him that Tarrou is sick. Contrary to established policy, the doctor decides to keep him at home under his own care and that of his mother and gives him the usual round of injections. He tells him that he must live if he is to be a saint.

In the evening, Tarrou has taken a turn for the worse. The only thing Rieux and his mother can do is watch and wait as Tarrou's valiant struggle with the disease runs its course. In the morning, the patient is breathing a little better, but Rieux tells him that it is not necessarily a sign...