A couple is going out for an evening on the town.

When they are almost ready to go, the wife tells her husband not to forget to put out the cat.  However, after a Taxi arrives and as they go out the door the cat darts back in the house.

Not wanting the cat shut in the house while they are out the husband goes back in to get the cat as the wife goes and gets in the cab.

The wife not wanting it known that the house will be empty while they are out explains to the cab driver, "He is just going upstairs to say good-bye to mother."

A short time later the husband comes down and gets in the cab.  He says, "Sorry it took so long but the stupid old thing was under the bed and I had to poke her with a coat hanger!"