Isidore Barbarin

Abstract

Isidore was an easygoing, cool-tempered man. He had fathered nine children: five girls and four boys. I guess behind all that child-raising it was a natural attitude for a man to be callous to just about anything, especially excitement. His children were all very respectful and disciplined in his presence, even the grown and married girls. He was “Pop” with an emphasis. They only engaged him in conversation if the matter was of interest and serious. No nonsense or foolishness. He ate his fine meals alone at a table, where sometimes my grandmother joined him. There was another large table for the children and relatives. He ate slowly, correctly, and always there was the full bottle of claret or burgundy wine. At lunch time, if he was having his meal and we youngsters ran playfully through the alley, my grandmother gave out a shout and we panicked in our tracks, as if lightning had struck.