[It's a hot button word. Gregor doesn't have too many of those, but there are a couple.

He lets himself gradually relax again, easing away from the narrow brush with the topic of madness.] I'm not surprised. Though I thought you liked digging. [Being kept on his toes and all that. Thoughtfully,] I feel a bit badly for looking forward to her realizing who she's been talking to all this time.