(JOHN enters and creeps off again.)

(A little louder.) I say, Jacko! do—you—know—you didn’t give—me—back that necklace—last night? (The words slightly smothered by using powder puff on mouth.)

(Enter JOHN in dressing-gown.)

JOHN. I say, Mamie, that hat does suit you! You look awfully sweet!

MAMIE. You go on, Jack. You’re the champion long-distance kidder in the universe.

JOHN (crossing to left of MAMIE). But I mean it. It suits you awfully.

MAMIE. Oh, awfully! (Mockingly.) Do you know you didn’t give me back the necklace last night—you know—the pearl necklace?

JOHN (hesitating). No, er—I know I didn’t. We both forgot all about it, didn’t we?

MAMIE (laughing). We did. (Both laugh amusedly, thinking it a great joke.)

JOHN. I left it in my coat, and I left the coat at the club.