# File rexml/element.rb, line 985
  def get_attribute( name )
			attr = fetch( name, nil )
			if attr.nil?
				return nil if name.nil?
				# Look for prefix
				name =~ Namespace::NAMESPLIT
				prefix, name = $1, $2
				if prefix
					attr = fetch( name, nil )
					# check prefix
					return nil if attr == nil
					if attr.kind_of? Attribute
						return attr if prefix == attr.prefix
					else
						attr = attr[ prefix ]
						return attr
					end
				end
				return nil
			end
			if attr.kind_of? Hash
				attr = attr[ @element.prefix ]
			end
			return attr
		end