"Yes, sir," I said.
"I suppose Jim's going out West, isn't he?"
"Yes, sir," I said again.
He paused again, and then he said:
"Well, look here, son, you've always been a good worker with me. You still have a lot to learn, however, because you wasted your evenings instead of doing some studying, but I'd like to see you 'make good' and I'll help you all I can."
I was surprised at this, and I said:
"But, Mr. Barlow, we'll be competitors then!"
I began to like Barlow very much then, for he put his hand on my shoulder, and said:
"Look here, son, can't we be competitors and yet be friends! Remember, I have a store several times larger than the one you are going into, so it is you who will have to compete with me, not I with you."
That was a new thought to me all right.