As one result of this trait, little is reported concerning his childhood.
No anecdotes are related of him at all, except one doubtful story about a
fight which he had with a schoolmate. The latter wanted him to stop and
take part in some game. Joffre replied that he didn't have time. The
other fellow came back with a taunt--and then Joseph "waded in."
He did not have any chums for the same reason, lack of time, and
doubtless he missed a great deal out of boyhood from this fact. It is
said that in the study hall he would erect a great pile of books between
himself and the next boy, so as not to be disturbed. Yet he didn't shine
particularly as a student. He was simply busy--thinking.
It was not until he was sent to college at Perpignan, that he really
began to take an interest in books, and his favorites were the more solid
studies--algebra, descriptive geometry, surveying, and draftsmanship.
His bent even at this early day seemed to be civil engineering.
The ambition of every middle-class French home, in those days, was to
send a son to the army--have him study to become an officer. Mamma
Joffre had not forgotten the Caesar in her oldest son's name; and in a
family conclave it was decided that he should be sent to Paris, to try
for the entrance examinations in the Ecole Polytechnique.
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