[Gregor, meanwhile, is used to being the one who has to keep trodding forward no matter what.]

I imagine you want some time to yourself now. There's an extra room upstairs if you'd like to sleep there, [he says to Miles's brother quietly, his own voice a bit creaky but clearing quickly.] Or you may leave; that isn't an order. If you have questions for me later, please let me know. At any time.

[The heavy weight of his words and his eyes try to impress upon him how serious he is about that.]