"No, it ain't neither," said the woman turning away.

"Oh, but wait, please," Ann Eliza entreated. "I can't be
mistaken. I mean the Mrs. Hochmuller who takes in washing. I came
out to see her last June."

"Oh, the Dutch washerwoman is it--her that used to live here?
She's been gone two months and more. It's Mike McNulty lives here
now. Whisht!" to the baby, who had squared his mouth for a howl.

Ann Eliza's knees grew weak. "Mrs. Hochmuller gone? But
where has she gone? She must be somewhere round here. Can't you
tell me?"

"Sure an' I can't," said the woman. "She wint away before
iver we come."

"Dalia Geoghegan, will ye bring the choild in out av the
cowld?" cried an irate voice from within.

"Please wait--oh, please wait," Ann Eliza insisted. "You see
I must find Mrs. Hochmuller."

"Why don't ye go and look for her thin?" the woman returned,
slamming the door in her face.

She stood motionless on the door-step, dazed by the immensity
of her disappointment, till a burst of loud voices inside the house
drove her down the path and out of the gate.