    # File lib/active_resource/base.rb, line 313
          def connection(refresh = false)
            if defined?(@connection) || superclass == Object
              @connection = Connection.new(site, format) if refresh || @connection.nil?
              @connection.user = user if user
              @connection.password = password if password
              @connection.timeout = timeout if timeout
              @connection
            else
              superclass.connection
            end
          end