Forgive me, but I don't think it was your place to object. The "joke" which was entirely intended as such, was entirely at Cathy's expense who didn't object at all, but simply and clearly explained her position. I could equally argue that by "leaping to her defense", when she didn't need it, you were being unbelieveably patronising to her, by treating her as if she couldn't defend herself and needed someone else to do her talking for her.

But then I'm sure that it wasn't your intention to be "out of place" either, so I wouldn't judge you in the same way that you have judged me.

Tiger