The men were generally away, at their work, during the day, but there was never any difficulty in finding some one at home, no matter at what house one called.

I was acquainted with one of the matrons of this locality, a Mrs.Duffy, who had occasionally undertaken some odd jobs at our house, and to her I made a visit.
She was glad to see me, and wiped off a chair for me.
"Mrs.Duffy," said I, "I want to rent a baby." At first, the good woman could not understand me, but when I made plain to her that I wished for a short time, to obtain the exclusive use and control of a baby, for which I was willing to pay a liberal rental, she burst into long and violent laughter.

It seemed to her like a person coming into the country to purchase weeds.

Weeds and children were so abundant in New Dublin.

But she gradually began to see that I was in earnest, and as she knew I was a trusty person, and somewhat noted for the care I took of my live stock, she was perfectly willing to accommodate me, but feared she had nothing on hand of the age I desired.
"Me childther are all agoin' about," she said.