‘That’s where you’re wrong. This survey can’t lose money, even if the railroad never gets built. If we can’t whip up enough political and financial support from Congress, then we simply clear a wagon road through to Nevada Territory, and charge a toll on that.’

Charles sucked at his cigar two or three times before he realised it was dead. Collis handed him a match, which he struck on the veranda post. He cupped his hands and lit up again before he answered.

‘How much do you need for this survey?’

‘Thirty, maybe thirty-five thousand. If seven of us put in five thousand each, that should see it through.’

There was another long silence. Then Charles said, ‘You’ve done something to me. Do you know that?’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Well,’ said Charles, trying to find the words, ‘before you came here, I was one of the kings of this city, me and Leland both. But ever since I met you, I get the feeling that I’ve been pushed into the background. Don’t think I don’t like you. I do. I like what you are, and I like the way you work. The moment I saw you on the wharf that first day you came to San Francisco, well, I knew we’d get along then.’

‘But?’ asked Collis gently.

Charles shrugged. ‘I don’t know how to say it. But the store’s running your way now, and even Mary’s not so disapproving of you these days. Wang-Pu put it the best. He said to me last month, when you were away in Washington, “That Mr Edmonds, he’s going to have us all riding trains across America whether we like it or not.”’

Collis lowered his eyes. The shadow of the trees was silently swaying on the boarded veranda floor.

‘Maybe Wang-Pu’s right,’ he said, and his voice was slightly hoarse. ‘But maybe something’s happening to this nation and we’re all just a part of it. Maybe we don’t have any choice. Not you, nor Leland, nor me.’

Charles didn’t answer. He smoked for a while, and then he stood up and opened his screen door. ‘Mary’s expecting some folks around later to sing some psalms. I’d better go in and wash up.’

‘What about the railroad company? Do you want to think about it?’

Charles shook his head. ‘No. I’ll have a note for the five thousand drawn up tomorrow.’

‘Then you’ll do it?’

‘For some reason I can’t explain, Collis, I will.’

‘How about Leland? Will you talk to him?’

‘Sure. He’ll do it if I do.’

Collis brushed his hair back from his forehead with his hand. ‘Well,’ he said, and he felt strangely unsteady, ‘thanks.’