@AndreyichHow about an actual 'sorry for being an ass'?
Instead of a 'mumble, grumble's which can easily be seen as simply mocking a person more. Because I saw no amount of sorryness in that line.
Only John being his usual bigotry ass, saying - 'mumble, grumble'. Try that line on a Commissar see what happens.
You didn't even wrote out any indication that this was his way of being sorry. All I saw was him mocking her. A little humilty wouldn't kill someone, in his case it might save his bacon.
But if you have appeared as an ass, and do no indication to fix it - then people are going to see him, as a jackass.
......fine, I will show mercy. By the Emperor' amount here - I have the urge to BLAM John myself.