DAISY. [_Thinking of the scene with George._] He would hardly look at me and his hands were trembling. He was as white as a sheet.
AMAH. [_Persuasively._] I tell you, Daisy. You no say yes, you no say no. I ask Buddha.
AMAH. If Buddha say yes, I talk with Lee Tai; if Buddha say no, I do nothing. Then you go to Chung-king and you never see George any more.
[_The_ AMAH _goes up the temple steps and flings open the great doors_. DAISY _watches her with an agony of horror, expectation, and dread. The_ AMAH _lights some joss-sticks on the altar, and strikes a deep-toned gong._ HARRY _comes in, followed by_ LEE TAI _with his bundle_.
HARRY. [_Anxious to make his peace._] Daisy, I found this fellow hanging about in the courtyard. I thought I'd like to buy you a Manchu dress that he's got.
DAISY. [_After a moment's reflection, with a change of tone._] That's very nice of you, Harry.
HARRY. It's a real beauty. You'll look stunning in it.
LEE TAI. [_Showing the dress, speaking in Pidgin English._] Firs class dless. He belong Manchu plincess. Manchus no got money. No got money, no can chow. Manchus sell velly cheap. You takee, Missy.
[DAISY _and_ LEE TAI _exchange glances_. DAISY _is grave and tragic, whereas_ LEE TAI _has an ironical glint in his eyes. Meanwhile the_ AMAH _has been bowing before the altar. She goes down on her knees and knocks her head on the ground_.
DAISY. [_With a shadow of a smile._] How should I know?
DAISY. Haven't you ever seen the Chinese do it? You see those pieces of wood she's holding in her hands. She's holding them out to the Buddha so that he may see them and she's telling him that he must answer the question. [_Meanwhile the_ AMAH, _muttering in a low tone, is seen doing what_ DAISY _describes_.] The Buddha smells the incense of the burning joss-sticks, and he's pleased and he listens to what she says.
HARRY. [_Smiling._] Don't be so absurd, Daisy. One might almost think you believed all this nonsense. Why, you're quite pale.
DAISY. Then she gets up. The pieces of wood are flat on one side and round on the other. She'll lift them above her head and she'll drop them in front of the Buddha. If they fall with the round side uppermost it means yes. [DAISY _has been growing more and more excited as the ceremony proceeds. Now the_ AMAH _steps back a little and she raises her arms_. DAISY _gives a shriek and starts to run forward_.] No! no! Stop!