"Aw now," remonstrated Mrs. Fitzpatrick, "sure, ye wouldn't be
askin' a poor woman like me the manin' av a word like that."

"Now, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, let us get done with this fooling. Tell me
whether you know the prisoner's wife or not."

"Indade, an' the sooner yer done the better I'd like it."

"Well, then, tell me. You either know the prisoner's wife or you
don't know her?"

"That's as may be," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick.

"Then tell me," thundered Staunton, losing all patience,
"do you know this woman or not?" pointing to Paulina.

"That woman is it?" said Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "An' why didn't ye
save yer breath an' His 'Anner's time, not to shpake av me own
that has to work fer me daily bread, by askin' me long ago if
I know this woman?"

"Well, do you know her?"

"I do."

"Then why did you not say so before when I asked you?"
said the exasperated lawyer.

"I did," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick calmly.