... and then he realized some of what had just happened. Genuinely registered some of what had happened. He watched her move.

"No, I did not, I was." Pause, and barely audibly. "Waiting for your instructions."

Then he got up, following at some distance.

"So, correct me if I finally misunderstood, but. What I did and said was offensive because you're female, rather than male?"

Social constructs: not his forte.