He was even more confused until she'd spelled it out for him.

"The Terrans place a large importance on gender. She told me there was no way for her to be a mechwarrior otherwise. I have seen her in battle and I have seen her challenge men larger than me to defend civilians. She has been practicing with the elementals and has read my copy of The Remembrance. In all things I have seen her uphold honorable behavior, except for as you said, hiding her true gender. With that in mind, I want to offer her a place among us as a bondsman, and then a Warrior if she passes her Trial."