Part 1 — Chapter 3

Summary

• Edwin departs from Reginald's new farm after spending a month there drinking. He travels west to meet with Thomas, a school friend of his brother Niall.
• Edwin is awed by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains as he travels by train. He regrets his heavy drinking in Saskatchewan and resolves to improve his behavior in British Columbia.
• Edwin arrives in Victoria and is surprised to find it very English, with many familiar accents. He considers settling there for a while.
• In Victoria, Edwin meets Thomas at a hotel in the city center. Thomas appears unchanged though they haven’t seen each other for a few years. Thomas is trying to establish himself in the local business community but is not specific about the kind of business.
• Thomas asks about Niall, who, according to Edwin, is apparently content in Australia, likely spending his remittance money on alcohol.
• Edwin finds it absurd that the vast wilderness visible from the city is owned by Britain, which is a thought he suppresses as it reminds him of his last dinner party in England.